Ca’ Dario in Venice, the “cursed” palace again for sale

Overlooking the Grand Canal of Venice, there are several noble buildings which bear witness to the ancient splendor of the Serenissima. Among these homes built for merchants, ambassadors and patrician families, Ca’ Dario also stands out. Located in the Dorsoduro district, a few steps from the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Ca’ Dario has gone down in history as the “cursed palace“of Venice, given that it is the protagonist of often tragic legends. Today, more than five centuries after its construction, Ca’ Dario returns to the center of attention not for a new mystery, but for the fact that the palace is once again for sale.

Ca’ Dario in Venice is for sale again

To announce the return to the market of Ca’ Dario is Engel & Völkers, a company specialized in the brokerage of prestigious properties. In the section dedicated to Venice of the company’s official website, the page regarding the sale of Ca’ Dario has also been present for a few days. The website describes the building as “an architectural masterpiece that combines Renaissance elegance, Venetian charm and timeless refinement”.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the property which extends over 1,055 square meters of total surface area are present. According to the announcement, Ca’ Dario has preserved the original system over 500 years ago, but some restoration work has been carried out which affected the roof, facade and structural reinforcements. The building boasts two main floors, nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a panoramic terrace and also service quarters. To complete the picture, a 170 square meter back garden and a private dock directly on the Grand Canal.

The sale restarts after a period of uncertainty. In November 2024, rumors of a transfer spread, which were later denied by the withdrawal from the market of the property. At the time there was talk of a sales figure of around 18 million euros. Today the price has not been made public by Engel & Völkers but the site indicates “price on request”.

History and legends of the “cursed” palace in Venice

Built in 1479 on commission by Giovanni Dario, the palace was designed by the architect Pietro Lombardo as part of the wedding dowry of his daughter Marietta, betrothed to the merchant Vincenzo Barbaro. From the beginning, however, the history of the building was intertwined with dark tales and for this reason it is known as the “cursed residence”. According to a popular version, Barbaro would have been killed and Marietta would have been killed taken his life out of desperation.

A fascinating reconstruction but also contested by historians such as Pieralvise Zorzi, who instead speaks of natural deaths. Since then, Ca’ Dario has changed owners several times and around each change the ownership seems to have been confirmed legend of the curse. In the 19th century the building passed to the Armenian merchant Arbit Abdoll, who then fell into disrepair, and subsequently to the Englishman Rawdon Brown. The twentieth century then strengthened the palace’s sinister reputation.

In 1970 Count Filippo Giordano delle Lanze would be been murdered inside the house. In the following years Ca’ Dario was purchased by Christopher Lambert, historic manager of The Who, a period during which he talks about a worsening of his drug addiction and a professional meltdown. Following other famous names are linked to the property, but most of these do not have positive stories.

Among the names that stand out is that of the Venetian entrepreneur Fabrizio Ferrari, struck by judicial matters and from a family bereavement. Finally, there is also that of the financier Raul Gardini, who took his own life in 1993 after being involved in the Tangentopoli scandal. Over the years it seems that other famous people have shown interest in the property, but then, scared by the legendthey would have backed out.