Built in 1453 in the Dorsodoro section of Venice, the Palazzo Filomela was named after the musician Filamena Ziani, who resided at the Palazzo from 1543 until her death in 1567. Ziani was known to the public as La Filomela— "the nightingale"—in honor of her gift of song. She also authored La Via dell' Amante (The Lover’s Path).

Besides writing The Lover's Path, Ziani was also responsible for commissioning the Palazzo's most noted attribute, the La Via dell' Amante fresco series. Located in the Palazzo's main hall, these seven paintings depict mythic and legendary lovers. They are believed to be inspired by a mysterious love affair from Ziani's youth.

The Museo came into existence during the Victorian era, when the interest in "cabinets of curiosities" led many travelers to the Palazzo Filomela. John Ruskin visited the Palazzo Filomela during an extended stay in Venice, while writing The Stones of Venice. The composer Richard Wagner, who lived in the nearby Palazzi Giustinian as he worked on the second act of Tristan and Isolde, was intrigued by Ziani’s invocation of that story in The Lover’s Path.

Currently upon display at the Museo is an exhibition about Filamena Ziani and her life and times. The Museo also recently published the first English translation of The Lover’s Path. For visitors unable to travel to Venice, exhibition highlights are displayed upon this website.

We hope you enjoy your visit to the Museo!

—Marina Rosetti, head curator, Museo di Palazzo Filomela