The Gallerie dell’Accademia, in the heart of Dorsoduro, is a must-see museum for lovers of Venetian art. Housed in a complex that combines church, convent, and Scuola Grande, its 37 rooms span centuries of painting. The Tempest by Giorgione, The Feast in the House of Levi by Veronese, and the Pietà by Titian are just a few of the treasures on display. Don’t miss Carpaccio’s cycle of Saint Ursula and Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man (exhibited only on special occasions).
• Venetian art collection from the 14th to the 18th century
• Masterpieces by Tintoretto, Canaletto, Tiepolo
• Historic venue with frescoes and a ceiling by Vasari
• Guided tours and educational workshops
Events nearby
09/06/2025 - 25/10/2026
Housed in the former Carità complex in Dorsoduro, the Gallerie dell’Accademia holds the most important collection of Venetian painting from the 14th to the 18th century, with masterpieces by Titian, Giorgione, Bellini and Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man.
- https://www.gallerieaccademia.it/en
- infogallerie.venezia@beniculturali.it
- Campo de la Carità 1050, Venezia (VE)
- +39 041 522 2247
- Open in Google Maps
- View on Google Images Gallerie dell’Accademia a Venezia
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Introduction
Stepping into the Gallerie dell’Accademia is like diving into the beating heart of Venetian art. Within the walls of an ancient religious complex in Dorsoduro, you breathe in centuries of painting: from the 1300s to the 1700s, the Venetian masters gaze at you from their masterpieces. I spent hours letting myself be enchanted by Giorgione, Titian, Bellini… and then, suddenly, Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man (displayed only on special occasions) reminds you that a unique heritage is preserved here. Every room is a discovery, an emotional journey through history and beauty.
Introduction
Stepping into the Gallerie dell’Accademia is like diving into the beating heart of Venetian art. Within the walls of an ancient religious complex in Dorsoduro, you breathe in centuries of painting: from the 1300s to the 1700s, the Venetian masters gaze at you from their masterpieces. I spent hours letting myself be enchanted by Giorgione, Titian, Bellini… and then, suddenly, Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man (displayed only on special occasions) reminds you that a unique heritage is preserved here. Every room is a discovery, an emotional journey through history and beauty.
Historical Overview
The Gallerie were founded in 1750 as an Academy of painters and sculptors, but the current premises were only established in 1807, when Napoleon moved the works to the former complex of Santa Maria della Carità. The museum opened to the public in 1817 and over time was enriched through bequests and donations. During the world wars, the paintings were kept safe. In the 1960s, Carlo Scarpa redesigned the spaces with a brilliant museographic intervention. Here are the key moments:
Historical Overview
The Gallerie were founded in 1750 as an Academy of painters and sculptors, but the current premises were only established in 1807, when Napoleon moved the works to the former complex of Santa Maria della Carità. The museum opened to the public in 1817 and over time was enriched through bequests and donations. During the world wars, the paintings were kept safe. In the 1960s, Carlo Scarpa redesigned the spaces with a brilliant museographic intervention. Here are the key moments:
- 1750 – Foundation of the Academy of Fine Arts
- 1807 – Move to the Carità complex
- 1817 – Opening to the public
- 1960 – Carlo Scarpa’s intervention
- 1750 – Foundation of the Academy of Fine Arts
- 1807 – Move to the Carità complex
- 1817 – Opening to the public
- 1960 – Carlo Scarpa’s intervention
A Journey through Venetian Art
The 24 rooms follow a chronological path from the late 14th to the 18th century. On the first floor, you’ll find masterpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries: Giorgione’s ‘The Tempest’, enigmatic and magnetic, and Veronese’s ‘Feast in the House of Levi’ covering an entire wall. On the ground floor, the 17th and 18th centuries with Canaletto, Guardi, and Tiepolo. Don’t miss the room with Carpaccio’s canvases of the Stories of Saint Ursula: they are incredibly detailed, you feel like stepping into a story. I was lucky enough to also see the temporary exhibition of glass sculptures by Tristano di Robilant, a fascinating dialogue between ancient and contemporary.
A Journey through Venetian Art
The 24 rooms follow a chronological path from the late 14th to the 18th century. On the first floor, you’ll find masterpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries: Giorgione’s ‘The Tempest’, enigmatic and magnetic, and Veronese’s ‘Feast in the House of Levi’ covering an entire wall. On the ground floor, the 17th and 18th centuries with Canaletto, Guardi, and Tiepolo. Don’t miss the room with Carpaccio’s canvases of the Stories of Saint Ursula: they are incredibly detailed, you feel like stepping into a story. I was lucky enough to also see the temporary exhibition of glass sculptures by Tristano di Robilant, a fascinating dialogue between ancient and contemporary.
Hidden Treasures
Beyond the famous names, the Galleries house lesser-known but equally precious works. Giovanni Bellini’s Pala di San Giobbe exudes a sacredness that envelops you, while the cycle of the ‘Miracoli della reliquia della vera croce’ (by Gentile Bellini and Carpaccio) is a fresco of daily life in Renaissance Venice. The Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe holds thousands of sheets, including Leonardo’s famous Uomo Vitruviano, visible only in temporary exhibitions. And then there is Giorgione’s ‘Vecchia,’ a portrait so intense it seems to speak to you. It is these details that make the visit unforgettable.
Hidden Treasures
Beyond the famous names, the Galleries house lesser-known but equally precious works. Giovanni Bellini’s Pala di San Giobbe exudes a sacredness that envelops you, while the cycle of the ‘Miracoli della reliquia della vera croce’ (by Gentile Bellini and Carpaccio) is a fresco of daily life in Renaissance Venice. The Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe holds thousands of sheets, including Leonardo’s famous Uomo Vitruviano, visible only in temporary exhibitions. And then there is Giorgione’s ‘Vecchia,’ a portrait so intense it seems to speak to you. It is these details that make the visit unforgettable.
Why Visit It
Two reasons above all: the concentration of masterpieces is unique – you won’t find so many Venetian masters in one place anywhere else. Then, the atmosphere: the museum is less chaotic than other Venetian venues, allowing you to enjoy the works in peace. Finally, the chance to see high-quality temporary exhibitions, like those on Titian or Pietro Bellotti. In short, if you love art, this is the place to go.
Why Visit It
Two reasons above all: the concentration of masterpieces is unique – you won’t find so many Venetian masters in one place anywhere else. Then, the atmosphere: the museum is less chaotic than other Venetian venues, allowing you to enjoy the works in peace. Finally, the chance to see high-quality temporary exhibitions, like those on Titian or Pietro Bellotti. In short, if you love art, this is the place to go.
When to Go
I recommend visiting on a weekday, preferably in the morning, right when it opens (at 9 a.m.). The light streaming through the windows illuminates the paintings magically, and you have time to linger without rushing. If you are in Venice in autumn or spring, the weather is pleasant and the city is less crowded. Avoid Mondays, as the museum is closed.
When to Go
I recommend visiting on a weekday, preferably in the morning, right when it opens (at 9 a.m.). The light streaming through the windows illuminates the paintings magically, and you have time to linger without rushing. If you are in Venice in autumn or spring, the weather is pleasant and the city is less crowded. Avoid Mondays, as the museum is closed.
Nearby
Just a stone’s throw from the museum, I recommend two unmissable stops. First is the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, where Tintoretto left an extraordinary cycle of paintings – a true explosion of Mannerist art. Second is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, which rises elegantly over the Grand Canal: its Baroque architecture and Titian’s works inside are well worth a visit. Both are reachable on foot and perfectly round out your day dedicated to Venetian art.
Nearby
Just a stone’s throw from the museum, I recommend two unmissable stops. First is the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, where Tintoretto left an extraordinary cycle of paintings – a true explosion of Mannerist art. Second is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, which rises elegantly over the Grand Canal: its Baroque architecture and Titian’s works inside are well worth a visit. Both are reachable on foot and perfectly round out your day dedicated to Venetian art.
Itineraries nearby
💡 Did You Know…?
Fun fact: the entrance of the Scuola Grande preserves its original 15th-century coffered ceiling, and in 1960 architect Carlo Scarpa redesigned the interiors with a layout that still fascinates. Among the masterpieces, the Vitruvian Man is so precious that it is exhibited only on a rotating basis to preserve its fragility.