Ca' da Mosto (Francesco da Mosto House), Venice

As you glide along the Grand Canal, you may come across palaces that catch your eye more than the Ca' da Mosto, but few can rival its enduring presence-this weathered Byzantine-style palace has stood here since the 13th century. The ground and first floors exemplify a 'casa-fondaco', having served as both the residence and workplace of its original merchant proprietor. The building underwent expansion with the addition of a second floor in the early 16th century, followed by the inclusion of a third floor in the 19th century.

The arches on the first floor and the intricately carved panels above them are remnants of a Veneto-Byzantine building from the 13th century, making them among the oldest structures to be found along the Grand Canal. Notably, Alvise da Mosto, the explorer who discovered the Cape Verde Islands, was born in this very palace in 1432. By the end of the same century, the palazzo had transformed into the Albergo del Lion Bianco, becoming one of Venice's most popular hotels until the 19th century.

Presently, the Ca' da Mosto sits vacant, its basement breached by the occasional high waters of the canal. In an interview with The Lady, Count Francesco da Mosto, a descendant of its eponymous former owners, expressed his desire to restore this historic edifice above all others.