Is this the most extravagant coffee house in the world? Shop established in 1720 has incredible murals restored to former glory

• Caffe Florian on San Marco Square in Venice, Italy, has reopened the doors to its exquisite Hall of the Illustrious Men
• The room features opulent portraits of prominent Venetian figures
• The coffee house has welcomed famous visitors including Lord Byron, Casanova and Charles Dickens over the centuries

By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 10:47, 29 September 2012 | UPDATED: 11:58, 29 September 2012

Italy's oldest coffee house has opened the doors to one of its most opulent halls once again after restoring it to its former glory.
Caffe Florian first opened on San Marco Square in Venice in 1720 as a place for Venetians to taste hot chocolate, a symbol of wealth, against a backdrop of exquisite murals.
However, after nearly three centuries of being open to the elements, the coffee house closed the doors to one of its rooms, the Hall of the Illustrious Men, for restoration.

The Hall of the Illustrious Men at the Caffe Florian on San Marco Square in Venice, Italy, has reopened after an extensive restoration

The coffee house first opened in 1720 and has welcomed famous visitors including Charles Dickens, Casanova and Lord Byron

The hall is named after influential Venetian figures who are portrayed in the oil paintings.
Caffe Florian also has a number of other magnificent rooms.
The Room of Season or of Mirrors is often called 'The Restaurant' because it served as the coffee house's dining room in the 1930s.
The Oriental Room and the Chinese Room both feature oriental motifs and the Senate Room depicts scenes from the arts and sciences.
The Liberty Room is elegantly decorated with hand-painted mirrors.

Caffe Florian became a popular coffee house in the 1800s where people met to discuss politics and culture.
Over the years it has hosted many famous visitors including Charles Dickens and Lord Byron.
Caffe Florian also became Casanova's hunting ground because it was the only coffee house to admit women at the time.

The Hall of the Illustrious Men is one of a number of rooms at the coffee house that is still open to the public

A portrait of Doge Pietro Orseolo, pictured left, is on display at the Hall of the Illustrious Men at Caffe Florian

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210360/Is-extravagant-coffee-house-world-Shop-established-1720-painted-incredible-murals-opens.html#ixzz27tV7DsFp
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