Here’s a look at five museums in Venice that, when in town, you shouldn’t miss.
From the moment you step outside Santa Lucia Station, you realize that Venice is really special as they say, as every glimpse recalls the paintings of Canaletto.
Venice is a work of art in and of itself, however, there is certainly no shortage of museums in the city. Here are five beautiful and must-visit museums in La Serenissima
1. Doge’s Palace
Famous throughout the world, Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was the residence of the Doge of Venice. It is located next to the basilica in St Mark’s Square, overlooking the Grand Canal. Its facades enchant visitors with typical Venetian-Gothic large ogival windows and a monumental colonnade of inlaid marbles, while its rooms conceal a plethora of treasures. The palace’s permanent collection includes statues, paintings and frescoes located in various areas within: Opera Museum, Doge’s apartment, courtyard and loggias. Doge’s Palace also hosts refined and interesting temporary exhibitions, one of which is dedicated to Port of Marghera and runs through 28 January.
Hours: from 1 April to 31 October, 8.30am – 7.00pm (entry allowed until 6.00pm), from 1 November to 31 March 8.30am – 5.30pm (entry allowed until 4.30pm).
2. Correr Museum
Also in St. Mark’s Square, the Correr Museum is characterized by the neoclassical style typical of the Napoleonic and Habsburg ages, a contrast to Doge’s Palace that testifies to the change in the city’s history, and is ideal for both art lovers and those who want to discover the history of Venice. You can visit the Imperial Rooms (where Princess Sissi stayed), discover how life in Venice unfolded, admire precious and rare artifacts, and visit La Quadreria which houses the masterpieces of Venetian art. The museum’s undisputed gem is the Antonio Canova Collection housed in the Neoclassical Rooms, where there are preparatory sketches of his famous sculptures such as Love and Psyche, marble groups such as Daedalus and Icarus and other magnificent sculptures such asVenus Italica and Dancers.
Opening hours: from 1 November to 31 March 10.00am – 5.00pm, from 1 April to 31 October 10.00am – 7.00pm
3. The Goldoni House
Carlo Goldoni, a famous playwright who is considered the father of modern comedy, was born in Venice and, to be precise, in a beautiful Gothic palace in Campo San Tomà that has been open to the public since 1953. Casa di Goldoni is mainly dedicated to the work of the Venetian playwright: Paintings, ornamentals and original furnishings blend elegantly with reproductions of some of his most famous scene. Among other things, these “scenic islands” display a Biribissi table from The Player and a wonderful Arlecchino costume.
Hours: from 1 November to 31 March 10.00am – 2.00pm, from 1 April to 31 October 10.00am – 5.00pm; closed Wednesdays, 25 December, 1 January and 1 May.
4. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Peggy Guggenheim, art collector and niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim, fell in love with Venice in 1948 and moved her collection there permanently. Today the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important twentieth-century museums in Italy. Palazzo Venier dei Leoni – the original seat of the collection, as well as Peggy Guggenheim’s home – houses works by Picasso, Dali, Braque, Pollock, Pollock, Duchamp, Mondrian, Klee, Kandinsky, Magritte, de Chirico and other important twentieth-century avant-garde artists. Evocative sculptures and installations are found in the museum’s open-air spaces which are part of the Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Sculpture Garden. The museum also offers interesting retrospectives in line with the permanent collection, such as the recently concluded exhibits dedicated to Mystical Symbolism and Picasso.
Hours: 10.00am – 6.00pm daily; closed on Tuesdays and 25 December.
5. The Glass Museum
Murano is one of those picturesque islands in the Venetian Lagoon where houses and canals resemble watercolor paintings. Murano is famous all over the world not only for its beauty but also for the magnificent creations of the island’s glass masters. The Glass Museum tells the history of the island’s glass production starting from Roman times up to the present day. In addition to the insights into the different techniques and processes, visitors will enjoy the Barry Friedman Collection, which displays interesting twentieth-century design objects.
Hours: from 1 November to 31 March 10.00am – 5.00pm; from 1 April to 31 October 10.00am – 6.00pm