Villa Castello

A magnificently appointed historic house in fabulous contemporary style depicted by Canaletto and Guardi, next to a church designed by Palladio (1558) and a bell tower by Mauro Codussi (1480).

The former island of Olivolo, known now as San Pietro di Castello, is a very special place. Together with Rio Alto (now Rialto) it was the first island to be occupied and settled by the Roman people of Veneto while fleeing from the barbarian invasions starting from the 5th century A.D. They also built a castle there, from where the name of Castello for the sestiere (district) which now occupies the eastern part of Venice derives.

The main building, its features and facilities

A charming four storey Venetian house with two private jetties on the west facing waterfront overlooking the Canale San Pietro. On the north side is the verdant campo San Pietro with its church and bell tower, while on the south side, a garden with fully equipped open air and covered living spaces.

The house sleeps up to 17 in 6 formal bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom, and a spacious loft with a further bathroom. Each bathroom has a walk in shower.

The main kitchen is ideal for large parties, cooking lessons and everyday cooking. The first floor kitchen is used mainly for breakfast but also serves the main kitchen when guests eat in the dining room or terrace. The garden room kitchen is perfect for open air drinks, snacks and more.

Three living areas on the first floor, on the loft and on the garden. Gym with hot tub.

Layout by floor

The total width of the ground floor, including the uncovered areas, is around 6,000 sq. feet, while the two upper floors measure 1,600 sq. feet each, the loft about 30% less due to the pitched roof. 

Ground floor and garden:

The main entrance leads to the stairs and lift. On the right, small entrance hall, hallway and main kitchen. Stairs (three steps) lead to the cavana (ancient landing room), a 1,000 sq feet vaulted room that can be used for indoor dining for up to 50 people, conferences, meetings, dancing, music, cinema etc. The room is also accessible from the main entrance and from the lift. A quadruple glass door opens to the landing stage on the canal. Beyond the cavana, there is a gym with 7.5 x 7.5 ft hot tub and small bathroom with shower. Two double glass doors lead to the garden: large pergola, garden room, further kitchen for serving meals or drinks or snacks directly on the counter, or seated in comfortable armchairs, large jetty, previous boat shelter (squero) now 800 sq. feet shed area for any gathering or al fresco dining.

First floor

Through the staircase (or lift) you will reach the 3rd kitchen, dining room, triple balcony door opening to the terrace overlooking the garden, living/study, large living room, bedroom 1 with balcony door leading to the terrace and window overlooking the canal, bedroom 2, twin (two French beds) overlooking the verdant campo, the church, its bell tower and the Arsenale. Lift arrives directly on dining/living.

Second Floor

Four bedrooms, each with en suite. The master bedroom (double king size bed) has also a tub with splendid views on the Arsenale (through a glass door and balcony) and five windows overlooking the church, the Asenale and the Canale San Pietro. Master 2 (double, king size bed and a further single bed) has a Turkish bath and windows overlooking the canal. Further twin (same description as the one on the 1st floor), further king sized double overlooking the private garden.

Loft

Reachable by stairs or lift it has a further bathroom with walk-in shower, living area with four sofa-beds for sleeping up to four youngsters. Stairs lead to roof terrace (altana in Venetian) overlooking Venice and the Codussi’s bell tower, where you can have unforgettable sunset drinks or dinners.

Ann-Marie's comment: Truly amazing to find such an incredible house in such a beautiful location - with a top level contemporary treatment making it the ideal place for people looking for style and privacy. It's unique.

Castello

Castello is perhaps the most charming area of Venice, where tourism is fairly minimal. Although only a few minutes from San Marco, it is quiet and residential with a good local feel. Here buildings are more quaint and popular, often displaying towards Arsenal colourful laundry hanging above, giving a sense of busy human activity. It is the perfect area for anyone seeking an authentic Venetian experience and for foodies in the “know” who go there to dine in some of the city’s premier restaurants, such as Al Covo and Corte Sconta.