Palazzo da Schio: Vicenza's Ca' d'Oro
Before Andrea Palladio redefined Vicenza with classical stone, Palazzo da Schio glittered with real gold as the city's own Venetian Gothic 'Ca' d'Oro'. Located prominently along Corso Andrea Palladio, this historic residence offers a visual reminder of late-medieval Venetian influence on the city's central pedestrian axis.
A Venetian Masterpiece in Vicenza
Palazzo da Schio stands out from the dominant Palladian architecture of Vicenza due to its distinct Venetian Gothic facade. The upper floors feature pointed, trefoil-arched four-light windows, known as quadrifore, adorned with slender columns and intricate stone tracery. The nickname "Ca' d'Oro" stems from this aesthetic and the original gilding that once covered its capitals, window frames, and decorative exterior details.
The ground floor presents a striking architectural contrast, incorporating Early Renaissance sculptural elements. A heavily carved entrance portal made of red marble displays Lombardesque reliefs depicting acanthus leaves, candelabra, and grotesque motifs.
Centuries of Noble History
The initial structure was erected in the 14th century for the noble Caldogno family. Between 1477 and 1500, the Dal Toso family expanded the building into a courtyard layout. The palazzo eventually passed into the Da Schio family in 1677, when Dorotea Franceschini brought the property as her dowry upon marrying Count Nicola di Giulio da Schio. The family has maintained continuous ownership for nearly 350 years.
Originally, the exterior walls featured polychrome frescoes believed to depict the Crusades. Anticipating their decay, Count Almerico da Schio conducted a pioneering photographic survey of the art in 1865, creating an early architectural preservation record. This documentation proved invaluable, as the frescoes were almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing raids during World War II. Following the war, architect Ferdinando Forlati directed a major restoration between 1945 and 1949.
The Courtyard and Antiquarium
Beyond the vaulted entrance lies a quiet stone courtyard dominated by a massive, century-old wisteria vine that climbs over 15 meters high. This area, along with the entrance hallway, houses a 19th-century open-air lapidary museum known as an antiquarium. Assembled by Count Giovanni da Schio, a pioneer of local archaeology, the collection features 4th-century AD Roman milestone columns, Latin epigraphs, and a 5th-century marble sarcophagus. The artifacts remain arranged exactly as Giovanni ordered them in the 1800s.
The building itself harbors even older secrets, resting directly on structural foundations from Roman Vicetia along the ancient Via Postumia. Inside the palace, the base of the 1772 grand staircase features a notable marble sculptural group by Francesco Leoni, representing the allegory of Valor and Fraud.
Modern Role and Access
Today, Palazzo da Schio remains the private primary residence of the da Schio family. The building also hosts professional studios, commercial offices, and a historic cellar used for aging the family's estate wines. While the upper residential floors are private, the atrium and central courtyard antiquarium open to the public during private tours, open courtyard days, and cultural events such as chamber music concerts.
FAQ
Why is Palazzo da Schio called the Ca' d'Oro?
The nickname comes from its Venetian Gothic architectural style and the original gold gilding that once decorated its exterior capitals, window frames, and facade details.
Who owns Palazzo da Schio?
The da Schio family owns the palace and uses it as a primary residence. They acquired the property in 1677 through the dowry of Dorotea Franceschini.
Can the public visit Palazzo da Schio?
While the building is largely a private residence and workspace, the atrium and central courtyard antiquarium are accessible to the public during private tours, special open days, and cultural events like chamber music concerts.
