The Soranzo were a Venetian patriciate family, one of the twenty-four families that claimed tribune origins. They date back to 456 when their ancestors moved from Altino to the island of Burano. They entered the Maggior Consiglio in 747 and one of their members, Giovanni Soranzo, succeeded to the ducal throne in 1312.

The Soranzo family distinguished themselves in the wars against the Turks, in particular with Benedetto Soranzo, who during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 had command of the galley Cristo Risuscito, placed on the right wing of the fleet under the command of Andrea Doria. During the battle, the crew was completely exterminated by the Ottomans, while Benedetto Soranzo was seriously wounded by three axe blows. In these circumstances, he decided to sacrifice himself and set fire to his galley, causing it to explode, along with its enemy occupants.

The Soranzo financed the construction of the Church of San Samuele and the façade of the Church of Santa Giustina.

The motto of the Soranzo family was Aut capio, aut quiesco (either conquer, or rest).

Illustrious people, events and places of the Soranzo Family