Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
T Fondaco Rooftop Terrace
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
NEWS: As of 1 May 2025, the shopping centre – and the terrace – are closed. It seams to be permanent. We will keep you updated if there are signs of a new opening…
We are talking about the rooftop terrace of a former department store! Access was free, but you had to book in advance. From above you could enjoy panoramic views of Rialto, the Grand Canal, and even St Mark’s Basilica. Curious about the name? Tedeschi simply means “German” in Italian.
Alternative viewpoints:
St Mark’s Campanile – several ticket options
Palazzo Pisani – Addmission for EUR 20
Bovolo Tower – not as high, but a charming view, EUR 10
My Rating:
Note:
Since May 2025 the shopping centre and also the terrace closed, and it seams to be permanent. We will keep you updated if there are signs of a new opening...
The Positives:
Great view over Venice, including the Rialto Bridge and the surrounding area. And it was for free!
The Negatives:
You only had 15 minutes to enjoy it before the next wave of visitors arrives.
Last Modified: 20.04.2026 | Céline
Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop
Photo Gallery
What Is There
to see?
To begin with, this is was a shopping centre – from Adidas to Yves Saint Laurent, you could browse to your heart’s content. The building also hosted occasional exhibitions, but its true highlight was the rooftop terrace, offering one of the most remarkable views in Venice. And that’s exactly what we’re went for.
From above, you can admire rooftops, canals, and the spires of various churches. Helpful plaques indicate which landmark you’re looking at.
Your visit will be brief – 15 minutes – but it’s more than enough to soak up Venice’s beauty. Just remember: advance booking was essential.
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
A bit of History
The historic building that now houses a shopping centre was first mentioned in 1225, though its exact date of construction remains unknown. The name Fondaco dei Tedeschi – literally “Warehouse of the Germans” – has been in use since 1268, reflecting its original purpose as the trading base of German merchants in Venice.
A devastating fire destroyed the entire complex in 1505. Fortunately, the Venetian state rebuilt it in largely the same architectural style, completing the work in 1508. The façade was once adorned with frescoes by Giorgione and Titian, though sadly none of these survive today.
In 1925, the building was purchased by the Venetian postal service and converted for its use.
Then, in 2008, it was sold to Edizione Property, which oversaw a major renovation between 2013 and 2016. The Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas transformed the structure into the DFS Store we see today. The rooftop terrace, therefore, has only been accessible for a few years.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023–2026
Exception for interior images: © DFS: https://www.dfs.com/en/venice
