Museums
Museums in Venice
Doge’s Palace: Palazzo Ducale was the official residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme elected authority of the former Venetian republic. Its remarkable formation was the meeting place of the governing councils and ministries of the republic. The first palace was built in 814 and has since been burned, restored, and modified multiple times which now sees Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance influenced architecture throughout. Doge’s Palace became a museum in 1923 and what once was the palace’s kitchens are now used as a space for temporary exhibitions. Additionally, you will see Doge’s apartments, institutional chambers, armoury, and prisons in the museum.
Gallerie dell’Accademia: The Accademia gallery encompasses three conjoined buildings which contain masterpieces of Venetian paintings up to the 18th century which are chronologically displayed. Artists represented in this gallery include Leonardo de Vinci, Antonello da Messina, Lazzaro Bastiani, and more. If you are lucky, you might see Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the Vitruvian Man which is rarely displayed because the fragile work is on paper and is highly sensitive to light.
Museo Correr: Located in St. Mark’s Square, the Correr Museum is rich with various collections covering the art and history of Venice. The museum originated with the collection donated to the city of Venice in 1830 by Teodoro Correr who was a member of a traditional Venetian family and was a passionate art collector who dedicated most of his life to the collection of art and documents that reflected the history of his city. The art collection in the museum is split into two parts of small bronze sculptures from the 15th century and Venetian paintings from the earliest days to the beginning of the 16th century.
Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro: The Ca’ d’Oro, meaning golden house, is a palace located on the Grand Canal which was transformed into a museum in 1927 as the Giorgio Franchetti Gallery. This museum houses the art works collected by Giorgio Franchetti during his life along with some state collections. You will find bronzes, sculptures and numerous Venetian and Flemish paintings on exhibition in the museum where various art conservation and restoration laboratories are also found.
Murano Glass Museum: The Museo del Vetro is located on Murano island and represents the history of glass including local Murano glass. The museum was established in 1861 and is located in the Palazzo Giustinian near the “Museo” vaporetto water bus stop. The museum is home to one of the most complete collections in the world, from antiques to 20th century works by the renowned Barovier and Toso glass company, Carlo Scarpa and much more.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection: This modern art museum on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro district is one of the most visit attractions in Venice. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni which was home to American heiress Peggy Guggenheim for 30 years who began seasonally presenting her private collection to the public in 1951. Since then, the collection is displayed all year round and includes artworks by important Italian futurists and American modernists.