The Devil of the House of the Angel

In the heart of Venice, near Piazza San Marco, lies a fascinating legend related to the Soranzo Palace, also known as the "House of the Angel." This historic building, visible from Calle de la Canonica and the Bridge of the Angel, is famous for a curious hole in its façade, above a high relief depicting an angel. According to legend, this hole was created by the devil.

In the 16th century, the lawyer Iseppo Pasini, known for his scams and dishonest behavior, lived in this palace. His household was served by a trained monkey, which took care of the domestic chores. Pasini was proud of his monkey, but he was unaware that it was actually an incarnation of the devil.

A Capuchin friar, Matteo Da Bascio, who was invited to dinner by Pasini, immediately recognized the demon in the guise of the monkey. The devil revealed that his intent was to take Pasini's soul to hell, but he had been unable to do so as long as the lawyer continued to pray every evening. The friar, wishing to punish Pasini without causing his death, negotiated with the devil: the demon could inflict permanent damage on Pasini if he would leave his soul alone. Thus, the devil created the hole in the façade of the palace as a sign of this concession.

Fearing that the devil could re-enter his house through the hole, Pasini commissioned the creation of a statue of an angel to protect his dwelling. The statue, still visible today, is a symbol of this extraordinary story of repentance and protection.

This tale not only enriches the cultural heritage of Venice but also offers an intriguing insight to explore the mysteries and legends of the lagoon city.