Hotel Metropole - Venice

Metropole, Riva edgli schiavoni 4149, 30122 - Venezia, Italia
Tel. +39.041.5205044

An unforgettable view over the lagoon, only a few steps from Piazza San Marco, within easy reach of the most stylish shops, and close to the Art and Architectural Biennales. Offering exclusive suites and elegant salons, a web of enchantment, a seductive ambiance, an aura of mystery and exoticism, with period furniture, soft music, relaxing perfumes, a genuine concern for your comfort and well-being, and a love for the most surprising collection of antiques ever to be found in any hotel. The Michelin-starred Met restaurant offers a experience for the delectation of your senses.

The place that is now the Hotel Metropole, has a long historical background.
A painting by De Barbari dating back to 1500 documents the existence of a building corresponding to that of the Hotel.
In that period the longarea of the Riva degli Schiavoni, anciently named "della Pietà", accomodated one of the major orphanages of Venice, a place of assistance reserved for orphanages of Venice, a place of assistance reserved for orphans and women.

Towards the end of the XVII century, the Metropole palace became enriched by a small church where Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) usually gave lessons to the young girls, who were staying in the orphanage. It was really between 1703 and 1740 that the master composed some of his most celebrated masterpieces: L'Estro Armonico op. III, concerts and Four Seasons "Quattro stagioni".

From 1700 the property endured numerous restoration works. They decided to build a new church, larger than the existing one: the task of this project was entrusted to Giorgio Massari who designed the present Church della Pietà which is adjacent to the Hotel.

During 1880, following a further restoration, the building was turned into a hotel. 15 years later Sigmund Freud (the king of psychoanalysts in that period in Venice) stayed here in the "Casa Kirsch", this was than the name of the hotel. Freud wrote to this wife Martha "You won't receive many description. It is not possible to do so, as Venice is so intoxicating".

In 1897 the Hotel Metropole appears on the list of the hotels recommended by the "Pocket Guide of Venice and it's interior" by A. Muller.
The historical event which has its place in the course of the 20th century also left its mark here: following the modifications imposed to the denomination of the hotels in the name of the italianization, in 1939 the Hotel became Metropoli and from then was for some years transformed into a military hospital, returning to its original use straight after the World War II.

1968 Control of this prestigious hotel passes to the Beggiato family, who by devoting themselves with passion and determination to the art of receiving guests have over the years established the Metropole as the most welcoming and elegant hotel in the city.

1990 The Metropole expands, with the acquisition of the secret garden and the north wing. Ten new rooms and the spiral staircase dating from 1440 are opened to the public.

2000 Drawing with originality and discrimination on the latest international trends and innovations, Gloria Beggiato, daughter of Pier Luigi Beggiato, gives the hotel a new look, introducing to the Metropole's style and aesthetic an element of mystery and an oriental elegance, and opening it up to a variety of cultural initiatives.

2005 For the first time in its history the Met Restaurant is awarded a Michelin star, the greatest of gastronomic accolades. Chef Corrado Fasolato's cuisine is a huge success in the lagoon city, winning favour both with food critics and with the general public.

2006 In April the final stage in the restyling of the hotel begins. The Exclusive Suites, with breathtaking views over the lagoon, luxury furnishings, unexpected details, and each with its own totally distinctive character, become the most luxurious and desirable rooms in the hotel.