15th Century
The customs houses, which were located at Castello close to the Arsenal, are divided into Customs of Land and Customs of Sea. The latter is then relocated to Punta della Dogana, at the tip of the island of Dorsoduro, named “Punta del Sale” because of the salt warehouses which were built there.

1631
Beginning of the building works of the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, to thank the Virgin for having put an end to the epidemic of plague, prevailing the previous year. Works are entrusted to Baldassare Longhena.

1677
The rebuilding works of Punta della Dogana, undertaken by Giuseppe Benoni, begin in 1677. He has the aim of building a tower at the end of the island, surmounted by a statue, carried out by Bernardo Falcone, representing two atlases supporting a gilded globe upon which stands the allegory of Fortuna, that indicates the direction of the wind.

18th – 19th century
Punta della Dogana undergoes various transformations and restoration works, in particular those made by the Austrians who invested the building during the occupation and those of the architect Alvise Pigazzi who renovated the building between 1835 and 1838.