Page 91 - All About History - Issue 18-14

Casanova: The Ultimate Playboy

Take a tour of Casanova’s Venice

Ponte delle Tette
Where he would procure prostitutes
Its name means ‘Bridge of Female Breasts’ in English, so it’s Calle Bernardo
no surprise that Casanova was a frequent visitor. Located in Where he thrashed a solicitor
the district of San Cassiano, the bridge would be frequented When Casanova’s maternal grandmother died, a confidant of the family
by topless prostitutes, who were encouraged by Venetian had the locks changed by a man named Antonio Razetta, to keep
authorities in an attempt to convert homosexuals. Casanova out, leaving him destitute. Razetta coveted the furniture in
the house and planned to sell it, so concocted charges against Casanova.
Upon escaping, a vengeful Casanova accosted Razetta in Calle Bernardo
and set about him with a stick, leaving him with a broken nose and three
missing teeth.

Canal

tel Monaco & Grand Canal
ere he gambled and romanced ladies
e of the buildings of the Hotel Monaco, overlooking the
nd Canal, is the Palazzo Dandolo, where Casanova seduced
rtesans. The hotel was a public foyer where Venetians
luding Casanova would gamble, hold parties and congregate
Palazzo Soranzo pecially during the carnival.
Where he saved his benefactor’s life
Casanova was employed as a violinist here when he saved the life
of a Venetian nobleman, Senator Bragadin, who suffered a stroke as
the pair left the building in Bragadin’s private gondola. Overseeing
Bragadin’s recovery and calling on his study of medicine, Casanova
was repaid by Bragadin, who became the former’s patron in Venice.

Canale del la Giudecca
Prison The doge’s palace
While he was known for his visits to the boudoirs Where he pulled off a daring prison break
of Venice’s ladies, Casanova was no stranger to A Venetian Gothic palace built in the 14th century, the doge’s palace
prison beds either. He was imprisoned several was host to the jailed Casanova in 1756 for over a year before he
times throughout his life, often on charges managed to escape. The palace housed political institutions of the
trumped up by jealous rivals. Spells locked up Republic of Venice until the Napoleonic occupation of the city in
include 14 months in the doge’s palace, thought 1797 and is one of Venice's most famous landmarks.
to be inescapable, before he sauntered out
the front door.

particularly unusual. On the streets of Venice, furnished only with a tiny bench and bucket, was
topless prostitutes would frequent the red-light constantly besieged by huge rats and let in very
Casanova was arrested by the Venetian secret districts; tolerated by the ruling council as they little light. The chiming of St Mark’s clock in the
police on trumped-up charges that included believed the availability of naked women would roof of the palace and constant attacks by swarms
blasphemy, but were spurred on by an elderly prevent homosexuality. Sexually transmitted of fleas did little to alleviate his mood.
Venetian magistrate, who was apparently diseases and unwanted pregnancies were common Without company, good food, books or clothing
convinced that Casanova was romancing his and quack doctors and alchemists were employed to speak of, Casanova was consumed with
mistress. Imprisoned in the doge’s palace, reserved in vain efforts to combat them. Women who fell thoughts of revenge and escape. During the only
for prisoners of higher status and political crimes pregnant out of wedlock could be sent to convents, exercise he was allowed – a walk around the attic
and named for the lead plates covering the while those suffering from pox would be treated corridors of the palace – Casanova stumbled upon
palace roof, Casanova was sentenced to five years with bleeding or poisonous mercury. an iron bar and shard of marble: hiding them in his
imprisonment in the notorious jail for “public Casanova knew something of physics and was armchair, he set about carving a hole through the
outrages against the holy religion.” able to treat himself and others throughout his wooden floorboards into the room below, intent
The hypocrisy in this act is hard to overstate. life, as well as using ignorance over medicine on a daring escape. Following weeks of slow work,
Venice’s ruling elite lived by a peculiar set of and chemistry to his advantage in deceiving rich Casanova was ready to make his escape when the
morals. Promiscuity was rife and the Venetians clients. The famous seducer bore his imprisonment unthinkable happened: he was moved to another
had a liking for group sex and orgies. While heavily, describing his torment as something he cell. Ironically this was a kindness engineered by
homosexuality was outwardly persecuted it was would not wish on his worst enemies. His tiny cell a friend to provide the luckless prisoner with more
common behind closed doors and not considered did not permit him to stand upright, was initially comfortable accommodation. The cruelty of this

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