BENONI, Giuseppe

While work proceeded on Santa Maria della Salute, the whole complex around it on the south side of the Grand Canal was rebuilt to complete a vast, theatrical Baroque development of the district of Dorsoduro. Longhena submitted a design, but the commission went to Giuseppe Benoni. The rebuilding works of the Dogana da Mar, undertaken by Giuseppe Benoni, begin in 1677.

Benoni erected the white tower shown here; at the top an allegorical statue of Fortune, carried out by Bernardo Falcone, keeps its precarious footing on a shining golden globe said to be visible to ships far out in the lagoon.

The exterior of the Dogana da Mar was refaced in 1835, making it look considerably duller.

The Dogana da Mar is at the point of confluence of the Giudecca Canal and the Grand Canal. On the mole, merchant ships used to unload cargoes for customs inspection. The building underwent various renovations over the course of the centuries until finally, in 1677, a design by Giuseppe Benoni was used to build the square tower of Istrian stone. On top of its roof was placed a bronze group composed of two atlantes who support a gilded sphere on which balances the allegorical figure of Fortune.

The Dogana da Mar is at the point of confluence of the Giudecca Canal and the Grand Canal. On the mole, merchant ships used to unload cargoes for customs inspection. The building underwent various renovations over the course of the centuries until finally, in 1677, a design by Giuseppe Benoni was used to build the square tower of Istrian stone. On top of its roof was placed a bronze group composed of two atlantes who support a gilded sphere on which balances the allegorical figure of Fortune.