Gay Love In Renaissance Venice

Few cities like Venice have fascinated the late homosexual culture. Just think of ‘Death in Venice’ by Thomas Mann, Frederik Rolfe’s life, or consider the surreal atmosphere of the Venetian Carnival which also inspired the erotic production of Jean-Daniel Cadinot …

But what about the homosexual life in previous centuries, at the time of the Serenissima Republic? Which history is hidden under the sodomy and the sexual customs of Baroque and Renaissance?

The homosexual environment during the Renaissance, although pursued with cruel laws, was an integral part of the city and indeed extended to the  state, in a political but also cultural way.

Rolandina (14th century), the first known transgender of the modern era: meet gay love stories between bandits, transvestism in the aristocratic society … but  discover old banned gay-themed books printed in Venice and survived to this day.

Was Giacomo Casanova , the most famous  ‘womanizer’ of the 18th century, attracted only by women?…. Or also by young men?

Which scandals animated the rich life of Venice? The notorious Giulio da Canal openly expressed his love for a young cross-dresser. The two lived together and they had to leave the town just in time before being convicted to jail.

Discover the ‘blue lights’ quarters in Venice, in a gay-escorted-three-hour walking tour,  from RialtoBridge to San Marco Square, passing by the ‘Campo of Santa Maria Formosa’.

Here you will also visit an impressive mansion of Venice: Palazzo Grimani, which was the sophisticated residence of the most important antiquities collectors of the Renaissance.

Mythological themes, often related to homosexuality, still live in the frescoed ceilings. Prepare to be amazed inside of the incomparable “tribuna”, the most precious room of the palazzo. As you can guess, it’s no coincidence if this place, literally filled with ancient statues, is dominated by the most famous gay love of Olympus: Jupiter and Ganymede.

Our tour will end right in the most symbolic place of the Venetian political power: Piazza San Marco, where this sophisticated culture, steeped in ancient left hidden symbols, but clearly visible to those who can read them. And right here, sitting in front of the superb Doge’s Palace, we will end with a glass of prosecco or the most famous Venetian cocktail: spritz.