Venetian Gothic, which originated in the 14th century, is a style that combines the Gothic pointed arch and Byzantine-Moorish influences.
![Photo of an alley that has a tall skinny building at the end that has three levels of Gothic windows. Located in Venice Italy.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gothic-windows-on-the-Gran-Canal.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/260e6313-a161-48b7-ac8e-f5098f2c6fed by gnuckx
Venetian Gothic Origins
Venetian Gothic is an Italian Gothic style, with features from Byzantine and Islamic architecture. It became an important architecture style in the 14th century and was used heavily until the 15th century. Thus, Venetian Renaissance architecture very often retained the features of its Gothic predecessor. In the 19th century, there was a revival of the style and can be seen famously in the Doge’s Palace and the Ca’ d’Oro.
![The Ca' d'Oro located in Venice, Italy. This structure is a three tiered structure with skinny arches and a fence that lines the top of the structure. Moreover, it is located on the Grand Canal.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ca-dOro-on-the-Grand-Canal.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/02cf9454-1a7c-4f53-8bf6-5aac45715eef by Dimitris Graffin
Venetian Gothic Characteristics
The most important element of this style is the pointed arch. Venetian Gothic architecture, often considered unique to Venice, is known for its structural lightness and grace. Further, traceries support the whole building, and rich colors were often used in these buildings.
![A photo of the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, which is a large rectangular structure that sits right along the grand canal in Venice. Moreover, this structure is a mustard color with white arched windows and various decorations.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Palazzo-Cavalli-Franchetti.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1f558f8f-1460-4d33-90f2-e6dc943f23bd by TracyElaine
![](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/window-in-Palazzo-Cavalli-Franchetti.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/6c547dab-27e2-47df-8d0a-3bd9e6f275ef by Turinboy
Venetian Gothic Today
The most iconic Venetian Gothic building is the Doges’ Palace, which is the main symbol of northern Italy. The palace was once the home of the Doge of Venice, who was the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. The palace opened as a museum in 1923 to showcase his influence on Italian culture and the Venetian Gothic style.
![Doge's Palace, in Venice, which is a large white, rectangular structure with 2 rows of arches that line the bottom and arched windows spread along the top of the structure.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Doges-Palace.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/cc2d1dbb-d960-42eb-b404-214bf522908c by IainCameron
Another important Venetian Gothic church is the Santa Maria dei Frari: a Franciscan church built in the mid-13th century. It was rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century. This church is still very similar to those in the rest of Italy, the only difference is the type of building materials used.
![East front with the bell tower, Santa Maria dei Frari, Venice, Italy.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/800px-Basilica_di_Santa_Maria_dei_Frari_-_Venezia.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/b7d5f062-3f2e-41d0-87d1-8d3ce18df924 by Didier Descouens
![Abside exterior - Santa Maria dei Frari - Venice 2016.](https://www.idesign.wiki/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Abside-exterior-Santa-Maria-dei-Frari.jpg)
Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/859c9077-91d7-42fc-99fc-e701a8fd4a5f by José Luiz
Info source: https://architecturaltravels.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/venetian-gothic-architecture/