Barnabotti

[1] The term Barnabotti derives from the fact that the group met and lived in the zone of the Campo San Barnaba.

The term Barnabotti refers to those patricians who, although having lost much of their fortune, continued by law to maintain their seat in the Great Council of Venice, the assembly that governed the Venetian city and state.

[3] Although they maintained a position of political influence, due to their impoverishment the Barnabotti as a group were frequently involved in disputes with the rest of the nobility.

During the 17th century, efforts were made to improve the welfare of the Barnabotti, by establishing a school in 1617 for the special education of children, the Accademia dei Nobili alla Giudecca [it].

An insider commented late in the 17th century that there were only fourteen or fifteen men capable of serving as Savio Grande.