AT HOME WITH HUSBAND GIOVANNI IN PALAZZO FALIER SERVANE GIOL

TELLS US ABOUT THEIR RENAISSANCE JEWEL ON VENICE'S GRAND CANAL

Since the dawn of the Renaissance, Giovanni and Servane Giol's palazzo has stood on the banks of Venice's Grand Canal, its fabulous location reflecting the importance of the Falier family, who built it.

By 1400, when the first brick was laid, three Faliers had already held office as Doge of Venice. Often caught up in the turbulent currents of history, they had seen the last of these, Marin Falier, beheaded as punishment for an attempted coup against the city's patriarchs.

Thankfully, recent times have been much more peaceful, and the palazzo's modern-day owners, financier Giovanni and author Servane, welcome us into a home where the gentle sound of water mingles with music and laughter.

Inviting as the palazzo is today, the couple who married in 2019 and moved in that same year - tell us that the property had not been inhabited for over a century when they acquired it.

Their first step was to turn and their four children: Ambra, 24, Leonardo, 22, Amerigo, 19, and 15-year-old Gregorio.

Then they set about creating a suite of elegant living and dining rooms, in which they love to entertain guests. The results are both stunning and unique.

In fact, for Paris-born Servane, Venice has become an endless source of inspiration. In her books, Soul of Venice and Venice: A Private Invitation, she shares her delight in this magical city, where she has now spent two decades, with readers all over the world.
Servane, what can you tell us about the history and architecture of your home?
“Like all the palazzos along the Grand Canal, it was originally the home and showroom of merchants. This is one of the smallest and oldest such places. It has evolved a little over time – for example, it would once have had two open terraces, which were glassed in during the 18th century.