Visiting the Accademia Gallery
This institution holds the largest collection of Venetian paintings from the 14th to the 18th century in the world. In a city where art is everywhere, the Accademia Gallery stands out for its masterpieces and its physical setting. The museum is laid out across 37 rooms within a complex made of three distinct buildings, the church of Santa Maria della Carità (Saint Mary of Charity), its monastery, and the Scuola Grande (Great School). Their history is deeply connected to Venice, and in this landmark location just steps from the Grand Canal, the finest examples of Italian painting, sculpture, and iconic drawings are assembled.
37 rooms of absolute masterpieces
The earliest structures date back to the early 12th century. Between the renovations by the Augustinians, the modifications by Palladio in 1560, and the touch of the great Massari in the 18th century, the complex has undergone significant evolution. As the former seat of the Accademia di Belle Arti (Academy of Fine Arts), which became a key reference for art education in 1807, the site shifted its mission toward the restoration and conservation of ancient paintings. Starting in 1798, masterpieces held in churches and monasteries from across Italy were brought here, and the museum officially opened in 1810. Since then, it has remained a premier destination for art. While the academy itself eventually moved, training prestigious artists like Hayez and Selva, the galleries provide an exceptional collection. The Tempest by Giorgione, Pietà by Titian, The Theft of the Body of Saint Mark by Tintoretto, and the four Allegories by Bellini are all present. Every piece is remarkable. You will find original plaster casts by Canova as well as an incredible collection of drawings by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Pittoni. In this dizzying list, the most famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci stands out. It is at the Accademia Gallery that the famous Vitruvian Man, created around 1490, is kept, even if only copies are currently on public display.
People don't always realize it, but there is an art museum inside the Santa Maria della Salute church.
This museum contains several masterpieces by great Venetian and Italian masters, such as Titian or Veronese.
A must-see if you enjoy this type of painting.