Mocenigo Palace

In the second half of the 16th century, the medieval castle of Este was gifted by the Venetian Republic to the noble Mocenigo family, who refurbished the interior of the fortification and, on the south side, built their residence directly against the walls. The palace originally consisted of two symmetrical wings, one of which was destroyed in a fire. The surviving section is L-shaped and comprises two storeys. Of the rich fresco decoration inside, the cycles in the three vaults of the halls on the main floor, painted in the 17th century, are still visible today; they depict flying cupids or cupids with olive leaves and allegorical images, such as Justice seated amongst the clouds, emphasising the virtues of the House of Mocenigo and the effects of the peace they guaranteed.