Palazzo Abadessa is a small, high-end hotel housed in a late‑16th‑century Venetian palace in Cannaregio, recognised as a historic “Residenza d’epoca” by the local heritage authorities. It’s known for its frescoed and stuccoed rooms, antique furnishings, Murano glass, and a rare double staircase leading to a grand first‑floor salon, plus a secluded walled garden and private canal jetty. I stayed just opposite it!
The building dates to the late 1500s and was originally the town residence of the Priuli family, a dynasty that produced several Doges of Venice.
Location: Palazzo Abadessa Calle / Campiello Priuli, 4011 30121 Venezia VE
In 1975 it was bought by the Rossi family, who spent an impressive 25 years restoring it before opening it as an intimate hotel.
Interesting facts...
One of the Priuli Doges, Antonio Priuli (r. 1716–1722), is noted for cracking down on people suspected of aiding a Spanish plot to invade the Republic – a real conspiracy that played out in Venice’s final century.
