'Cortigiane a Palazzo': Dinner and Carnival Grand Ball at Ca' Sagredo

There is great excitement for the second edition of the spiciest event of the Venice Carnival: the 'Grand Gala Cortigiane a Palazzo' awaits you on Thursday 20 February in the splendid setting of Cà Sagredo, a wonderful eighteenth-century palace and an internationally renowned luxury hotel.

Beautiful women, masks and fans covering their faces, singers, scents and dancing: book this not to be missed experience and get ready to enjoy a magical night, in the name of entertainment, mystery and charm. The Cà Sagredo Grand Ball is the most anticipated event of the year!

The 'Grand Gala Cortigiane a Palazzo' at Ca' Sagredo, Venice, will make you relive the life of a courtesan during a typical day: from her awakening, makeup and dressing to the visit to the market, the gaming, the dancing and her sensual moments... emotions that you will experience firsthand by participating in this incredible event! The ladies, assisted by charming Cicisbei, will dress, perfect their make-up and try on exotic perfumes, while their chevaliers will, with the help of savvy artisans, create masks and splendid jewels as gifts to their ladies.

As some of you already know, the courtesans were not only flirtatious ladies who dispensed body pleasures, but also educated and powerful women, capable of influencing the economic and political life of the Serenissima. One example was Veronica Franco, one of the most famous Venetian courtesans of the 16th century who, with her charm, seduced doges and artists the likes of Tintoretto. Highly educated and a renowned poetess, thanks to her liberty and free will, Veronica Franco became a symbol of female emancipation.

But let's get back to the great Carnival party at Cà Sagredo: for this event, elaborate scenes will be set up in the palace to reproduce the atmosphere of the love rooms, the market and the city’s areas where the courtesans dispensed their services. But the Cà Sagredo Carnival event will be more than a straightforward historical reenactment and a theatre show: it will be a splendid evening where guests will take center stage with the watchword being ‘liberty’ under one only rule... there will be no rules! There is no denying it…anyone could be disguising themselves behind a mask...!

During an event of such tenor... excellent food accompanied by renowned wines cannot be missing! In between the shows, a lavish and tasty buffet dinner will be served, specially created by the great chef Damiano Bassano who, thanks to his talent and experience, will give a truly personal touch to the dishes of our traditional cuisine. A fish menu emphasizing the charm of the courtesans, with a thousand facets and at times contradictory: bitter-sweet, delicate and spicy ... but always perfectly intriguing!

During the Venetian Courtesan Carnival Party at Cà Sagredo in Venice, there will be many highlights: you can gamble at the ‘Casin dei Nobili’ and win imaginable new and libertine emotions, learn the ancient Minuetto dance guided by skilled masters and lose yourself among the veils of Belly Dancers. We can't say anymore: come and find out yourself... 

So, are you ready to discover the most secret side to Venice? To make the atmosphere truly unique, a period costume is required. If you don’t have one, don't worry: Atelier Alessio Benetti will be present inside the Palace where, if required, you can rent costumes and accessories suitable for the occasion: for further info and reservations please use this form to contact us.

We are waiting for you on Thursday 20 February at the Venice Cà Sagredo event: charm, games, dancing, love and mystery in an unforgettable evening!

Just remember: 'Semel in anno licet insanire' ...