PALAZZO MOCENIGO
Palace housing the museum of the history of fabric, costume and perfume, a laboratory of the former muschiere on site.
Built in the 16th century and enlarged in the 17th, the palace now houses the Museum of the History of Fabric, Costume and Perfume. Residence of one of the most illustrious Venetian families who gave the Republic seven doges, it was donated to the city of Venice in 1945 by the last descendant of the Mocenigos, Alvise Nicolo. The tour is organized around twenty rooms on the first floor, starting from the portego, the large central reception room, where the portraits of the famous Mocenigos are displayed. One walks between salons and alcoves, furnished with tables covered with porcelain dishes, Murano glass and Burano embroidery. Frescoes and stucco, marble floors and painted coffered ceilings frame the furniture and decorative objects, some original, others borrowed from other museums in the city. A superb collection of finely embroidered antique men's vests will leave some visitors amazed.
The stroll continues with the perfume tour. A room evokes the laboratory of the former muschiere (perfumer), where stills and curious containers are more reminiscent of alchemy than perfumery. On the wall there is a map of the trade routes of perfumes and spices between Venice and the Orient. In another room, presented on a large table in glass jars, one discovers the different fragrances essential to the preparation of perfumes, all "within the reach of the nose". A range of antique perfume bottles closes this perfumed walk.