"Cold, monotonous and long," is how the illustrious historian of Venice, Alcide Zorzi, described the Fabbriche Nuove. Built by Sansovino in 1554 on the model of the "Vecchie", they line the curve drawn by the Grand Canal. The ground-floor is depicted by arcades adorned with bossages and the two upper floors feature windows framed by pilasters and pediments.