Major cultural institutions in Venice

Venice has always been a thriving cultural hub, and this has been particularly true in recent years thanks to a significant increase in cultural activities. Not only Venice is a destination where such events are particularly appreciated, but it is also a place of constant, lively and innovative production of art in all its forms. It’s easy to understand the extent of the veracity of that statement simply by browsing through the list of event agencies and the comprehensive offer of activities. There are in fact hundreds of cultural organisations that include government bodies, private organisations, institutions, cultural association and individuals due to the strong link between cultural production and tourism. Tourists staying in the Riviera are often very interested in the supply of activities offered by major Venetian Arts organisations, and therefore require a high degree of accessibility. Below are some of the most important Venetian Centers of cultural production frequented by guests staying in the Breta Riviera and Miranese area.

Teatro La Fenice of Venice is one of the most outstanding examples of Italian opera house architecture and also a ‘sacred site’ in the history of music. Founded in 1792 it was the venue for numerous world operas premières by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi, and the greatest artists of both the past and today have performed on its stage. After the terrible fire in 1996 the building underwent substantial reconstruction until it found its original beauty. In the last few years it started again offering concerts of the highest artistic level including Myung-Whun Chung, Ton Koopman, Rudolf Buchbinder and Marco Angius; in addiction new and international productions, such as Giuseppe Verdi’s Don Carlo. In 2004 La Fenice was inaugurated with production and direction of Verdi’s La Traviata by Robert Carsen which today it is still considered to be one of the most fascinating operas ever.

Peggy Guggenheim is the trunk of the most beautiful masterpieces of the Twentieth Century. During her incredible life, the American philanthropist acquired Palazzo Venier dei Leoni that turned into her own home museaum, where she gathered a huge collection of masterpieces by Picasso, Pollock, Kandinsky, Miró, de Chirico, Dalí. Following her idea of sharing the art with the public every summer, in 1980 the palace officially became a museum that years by years enriched with masterpieces from the Hannelore B. e Rudolph B. Schulhof Collection and the Nasher Sculpture Garden. In addiction to the collection there are also temporary exhibitions, offering a series of public programs and additional activities that are closely related to the collection, such as daily presentations to the public which make the Peggy Guggenheim one of the most beloved and visited museum in Italy for art of the 20th century.

Founded in 1869 by the last descendant of the family, the cultured and philanthropic Count Giovanni, the Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a home for art and culture. A sixteenth-century palace stands , its architectural spaces by important contemporary architects, acting as a backdrop to concerts, meetings, exhibitions. The museum home appears lived in even to this day, containing original furnishings and a vast art collection with over 400 paintings from the fourteenth to the twentieth century such as Bellini, Tiepolo and Longhi. From 2018, the Fondazione Querini Stampalia welcomes a new addition in the form of a section of priceless works: the collection of Intesa Sanpaolo. For visitors pleasure there are an elegant bookshop, a friendly café and a secret garden with Eastern connotations for an unusual Venice, in which the emotion of art and beauty reside.

Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, the two historic buildings renovated by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, are the two contemporary art museums of the Pinault Collection in Venice. Across the Grand Canal, they present major collective exhibitions and monographic shows of some of the most important exponents of international contemporary art. Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana offer custom- made guided tours that aim to lead visitors on a fascinating journey to discover artists and works of art on view as well as the splendid architecture of the buildings. The two museum cafès welcome visitors to enrich their visit with a taste experience, from lunchtime to happy hour. From March 22nd 2020 Palazzo Grassi presents an exhibition dedicated to the great master Henri Cartier-Bresson and a monographic show of photographer Youssef Nabil, while Punta della Dogana hosts a collective exhibition bringing together the works of approximately 60 artists.

M9 is the first multimedia museum entirely dedicated to the 20th century. A unique place where to learn about our past, question the present and imagine the future. Projected by the Berlin firm Sauerbruch Hutton, M9 is also an example of urban regeneration of international standing. It combines historic architectures with iconic new buildings; a new cultural district that contribute to enrich Mestre city center. A museum that offers the visitor an educational and engaging experience with 60 multimedia and interactive installations supporting the historical narration and 8 thematic areas that propose an immersive journey to discover how Italian society, economy, culture and habits changed in the last century. An entire floor dedicated to temporary exhibitions, the auditorium and the covered courtyard offer by hosting screenings, conferences, festivals and cultural initiatives open to the public.

Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, entirely owned by Venice Casino one of the most beautiful structures on the Grand Canal. Official location of the Dinner show of the Venice Carnival, the palace has a very large main floor where there is a festival hall which, together with the adjacent rooms, is used for parties, conferences, shows and press conferences. On the same floor the Wagner Restaurant is open all year round and offers the exclusive pleasure of a refined dinner embellished with paintings by Palma il Giovane and frescoes by Gian Battista Crosato. On the mezzanine floor there are the apartments that were once the property of Maestro Richard Wagner who lived here and nowadays the museums rooms managed by the Richard Wagner Association of Venice can be visited fore free upon reservation. On the top floor, the Venice Casino completes the offer from its french to american tables and the famous slot machines.