The portico owes its name to the palazzo above it, Palazzo Barbaro, apparently dating back to the 14th century. The name doesn’t appear to be that of the builder but of one of the families who lived there. One member of the family stole the pennant of Saint Mark from the Barbarians during one of the crusades. 

As we pass through the portico, we catch glimpses of the neighbouring Palazzo Pisani, home of the city’s conservatory, as well as a view of the Grand Canal.