Fondaco dei Tedeschi

Map. 

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The Fondaco dei Tedeschi, which is situated on the Grand Canal, was once the trading and living quarters of the German merchants who were based in Venice.  
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Originally erected in 1223, the building burnt down at the beginning of the 16th century. It was rebuilt between 1505 and 1508. The architect Giorgio Spavento was first appointed to do the work, but he was soon replaced by Antonio Abbondi, better known as 'lo Scarpagnino'. 

The plan of the fondaco (a word of Arabic origin meaning storehouse) is a rectangle with a large central courtyard. The waterfront has a central five-bay loggia for the unloading of goods. 

Two façades of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi were frescoed by Giorgione (Canal side) and Titian (south side), fragments of which can be seen in the Ca' d'Oro. 

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Fondaco dei Tedeschi

Photograph of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, 1853