Ca' Foscari University is a university in Venice, northern Italy. It was founded in 1868 as the first Italian business college. The main building of the University, Ca’ Foscari Palace, is placed in a strategic position on the bend of the Grand Canal, in the heart of the city. Nowadays Ca' Foscari University offers four main subject areas of teaching and research activities: economics, languages, sciences and humanities. The main seat of the University is Ca’ Foscari Palace, the Venetian Gothic building placed in the largest bend of the Grand Canal. The palace was purchased and renewed by the Doge Francesco Foscari in 1452. It contains important artistic and architectural works, such as: a room with a 15th century frescoed floor and a 16th century decorated roof; a room with a 16th century stucco work by the Venetian sculpture Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608); a great hall designed by the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978), with two murals by Mario Sironi and Mario de Luigi. Between 2004 and 2006 Ca' Foscari underwent a restoration programme, which was awarded the Premio Torta in 2007.