Steno

The Steno, called Sten in Venetian, were a Venetian patrician house among the Case Nuove, admitted to the ruling class at the closing of the Great Council in 1297. Tradition claimed an origin in Altino, but the house never attained great wealth or power.

Michele Steno, born around 1331, had a wild youth and was nearly condemned for scurrilous inscriptions against Doge Marino Faliero, yet became an administrator and diplomat. In 1400, after a deadlocked election, he was chosen as Doge as a compromise candidate.

His reign saw Venice defeat Francesco da Carrara of Padua in the War of Padua and annex the city, laying the foundations of the mainland dominion. Michele Steno died on 26 December 1413 and was buried in the basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo; with no heirs, the house became extinct.