The historic Ca’ Dario, famously dubbed the “cursed palace,” overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice, is no longer for sale, according to the property’s current owners.
Local newspapers reported this development after a Venetian publication noted the removal of a real estate listing by a Tuscan agency. The agency, acting on behalf of Christie’s International Real Estate, initially listed the property for €18 million.
Christie’s affiliate Dimore Italia, through General Manager Arnaldo Fusello, clarified that the owners decided to withdraw Ca’ Dario from the market due to necessary maintenance. Fusello explained, “The work is usually carried out during the winter to allow visits in the spring and summer.”
The identity of the current owner remains shrouded in mystery. The palace was last purchased in 2006 through a U.S.-based company, adding another layer of intrigue to its reputation.
A Jewel of Venetian Architecture
Ca’ Dario, located in Venice’s Dorsoduro district, boasts a striking mosaic façade visible from the Grand Canal. Close to the Basilica della Salute, the 1,000-square-metre palace features eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a roof terrace, a 170-square-metre garden, and two water gates.
The interior of Ca’ Dario is defined by exquisite marble features, including elegant columns, a functional well situated in the atrium on the ground floor, intricately designed staircases, and an indoor fountain with a distinctly Oriental influence. The walls are adorned in Venetian red, accented with golden hues that amplify the palace’s refined aesthetic.
Despite its architectural splendour, the palace’s reputation for misfortune spans centuries, earning it the nickname “The House That Kills.”
A History Marked by Tragedy
The curse associated with Ca’ Dario began with the death of Marietta, daughter of Giovanni Dario, who commissioned the palace in 1487. Subsequent owners met similar fates:
- Giovanni’s heir Giacomo, a purveyor of Candia, died in an ambush in the 17th century.
- In the 19th century, Armenian diamond merchant Arbit Abdoll acquired the palace, but his business collapsed.
- British scholar Rawdon Brown later owned it but died by suicide.
- French poet Henri de Régnier lived there briefly but succumbed to illness.
- American owner Charles Briggs faced expulsion from Venice and personal tragedy when his partner died by suicide in Mexico.
In 1970, the dark narrative took a violent turn when Count Filippo Delle Lanze, who had purchased Ca’ Dario at auction two years earlier, was found murdered in the palace. His lover, Raoul Blasich, suspected of the crime, disappeared and was never brought to justice.
The palace later attracted Christopher “Kit” Lambert, music manager for The Who. Lambert faced drug-related arrests and financial ruin. It is also said the band’s bassist, John Entwistle, died of a heart attack shortly after staying at Ca’ Dario.
Subsequent owners fared no better. Venetian entrepreneur Fabrizio Ferrari experienced financial disaster and personal losses. Raul Gardini, another owner, committed suicide in Milan in 1993. That same year, a massive theft occurred at the palace, with over 100 silver pieces and eight ancient tapestries stolen, though they were recovered the following year.
Celebrity Interest and Superstition
Despite its ominous past, Ca’ Dario has attracted interest from high-profile figures. Woody Allen reportedly considered purchasing the property but ultimately backed out. Rumours suggest it was less due to superstition and more because the requested discount on the asking price wasn’t granted.
Also read: 7 Spooky places to visit in Italy
