Caffè Florian

It is the oldest Italian Cafè and, along with Procope in Paris, the world's oldest Cafè. It was inaugurated in 1720 by Floriano Francesconi under the name of "Triumphant Venice", then immediately renamed "to Florian". Since then, it has continued to this day its business, becoming a favorite destination for Italians and foreigners attended as Giacomo Casanova, Carlo Goldoni, Silvio Pellico, Lord Byron, Foscolo, Charles Dickens, Goethe, Rousseau, and Gabriele d'Annunzio. As in other Cafes, outdoor patrons are entertained by a small orchestra. In 1858, the new owners entrusted to Lodovico Cadorin its restoration: the Chinese Room, in "Pompadour" style, has paintings and ornaments by Antonio Pascuti; the Oriental Room, decorated by Giacomo Casa, presents exotic paintings; the Hall of the Senate instead of a more ambitious painting project, always the same Giacomo Casa: the cycle of paintings depicting "The Century Illuminated, or the progress", "The Civilization of discipline Nations or The Venice Triumphant" and eleven panels depicting the "Arts and Sciences", with Masonic symbols. Between 1872 and 1891, the Florian is enriched by the Hall of Seasons and the Hall of Illustrious, works by Giuseppe Ponga and A. Piazza. The Hall of Illustrious owes its name to the series of paintings by Giulio Carlini, running ten portraits of important  Venetians figuresof all time.