The Palazzo dei Camerlenghi stands in the San Polo district of Venice, facing the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge. It takes its name from the Camerlenghi di Comun and housed several financial magistrates, including the Consuls of the Traders. It was built in the fifteenth century and finished in 1488, and Guglielmo dei Grigi designed the enlargement of 1525 to 1528, inspired by Mauro Codussi and Pietro Lombardo.
The Renaissance palazzo has three stories and a pentagonal floor plan that follows the shoreline of the Grand Canal. Its tall windows are divided by false columns and decorated with friezes. The lower floor served as a jail for people who defaulted on their debts.
Departing magistrates traditionally left a religious painting and a portrait, so the palazzo came to hold many artworks. They were removed during the French occupation. It now houses regional offices of the Italian Comptroller and Auditor General.
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