Written By: Mary Petschel | November 30, 2017Sometimes getting lost is the best way of discovering the coolest places. While wandering the cobble streets of Venice, my friends and I stumbled upon the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia (which I had no idea of at the time). The building is one of the Scuole Grandi of Venice, which were usually professional associations and brotherhoods of people who did the same job and used to meet in such buildings to discuss about their work as well as being a place of worship. Since the 1800s, the building has been used as military lodgings, a warehouse, State Archives, and as a venue for basketball. Today, it is an event space for art exhibits, parties, gala dinners, meetings/conferences, and performances (this building from the 1500s is even designed for accessibility now!). Other new features include underfloor heating and a new lighting system that is remote controlled and customizable. Modern restoration started in 2015 and was completed in April 2016 by architect Alberto Torsello and Ta Architettura.
“The new architectural project revives the mystery and charm of the building, enhancing the depth of its historical traditions in every wall and decoration. The restoration does not propose, does not interpret, and does not solve. It complements and completes that which already exists, simply by reviving the building’s original innovative energy.” – Misericordia website
Here are a few photographs I took while exploring the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia.
Go get lost – you never know what you will find!
