A weekend of art in Venice. Discovering museums, galleries and exhibition venues

As one of the most important European and American XX century art museums in Italy, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is home to works of great art of the period. In fact, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, on the Grand Canal - once the home of collector Peggy Guggenheim - boasts works by Dalì, Picasso, Magritte, Kandinsky and other leading painters and artistic movements of the time. Cubism, Futurism, Metaphysical Painting, Surrealism and much more form the setting for this museum highly recommended for admirers of the ‘pittori maledetti’ and contemporary twentieth century avant-garde cultural movements.

Find out more: guggenheim-venice.it

The history of Venice in a single museum.

The Correr Museum in St. Mark's Square, the heart of Venice, is a must visit and included in the same ticket for visiting the Doge's Palace. The works in the chambers of Empress Elisabeth, the space dedicated to Venetian Civilization and its deeds, the Picture Gallery with the most important masterpieces of Venetian 1500s art and the Neoclassical Rooms, with the Canova Collection, all narrate the history, culture and traditions of this magical city to the full.

Find out more: correr.visitmuve.it

Discovering Modern Art in Venice

Ca' Pesaro is a splendid XVII-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal and home to the International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice. It has a large collection of Italian and international paintings, sculptures and graphics from the end of the XIX century to the present day. The masterpieces on display include the famous Thinker by Auguste Rodin and Judith II (Salomé) by Gustav Klimt, together with works by artists such as Medardo Rosso, Giacomo Balla, Adolfo Wildt, Arturo Martini, Gino Rossi, Giorgio Morandi and Felice Casorati. The palace was donated by Duchess Felicita Bevilacqua La Masa to the City of Venice in the early 1900s to become a centre for contemporary art and shows by deserving young artists.

Find out more: capesaro.visitmuve.it

A journey into XVIII century Venice

Entering the gates of Ca' Rezzonico starts a journey to discover the splendour and marvels of XVIII Venice. The Museum is home to the magnificent Mestrovich Collection with works by Jacopo Tintoretto, Giandomenico Tiepolo, Bonifacio De' Pitati, Francesco Guardi, Alessandro Longhi, Benedetto Carpaccio and many others. An exhibition route inside eleven rooms complete with original furnishings and frescoes, as well as the wonderful Egidio Martini Art Gallery with its large collection of paintings of the Venetian school of XV-XX centuries. The treasures of the Museum particularly include the reproduction of the Ai do San Marchi Pharmacy with original furnishings that was donated to the Civic Museums in 1908. The pharmacy is located on the third floor of the building and looks as it would have done to its clients in 1678, with elegant inlaid furniture and fine Murano glass decor, as well as majolica jars used to keep spices and medicines.

Find out more: carezzonico.visitmuve.it

Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana are part of the Pinault Collection these two fascinating museums of Contemporary Art are well worth visiting during a weekend in Venice. As symbols of the city, these two museums host works by well-known artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Jeff Koons, Urs Fischer and Rudolph Stingel, as well as works by new emerging artists waiting to be discovered. Educational activities for students, workshops, events and cultural initiatives organized in support of art and the people taking part turn these museums into an internationally acknowledged, innovative and dynamic cultural centre.

Find out more: palazzograssi.it

Art, architecture, music, cinema, dance and theatre: this is the Biennial - considered to be one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world and always committed to promoting new artistic and contemporary trends. A blend of creativity, performances, exhibitions and shows that define the rules for new trends on the international scene. During the Biennial, Venice is transformed into a nerve centre of ideas. Interesting art shows and important collateral events come to life in every quarter of the city. The International Architecture Exhibition, the International Art Exhibition, the International Film Festival with the Golden Lion Award, the International Theatre Festival and the International Festival of Contemporary Dance are, year after year, the most eagerly-awaited and important cultural events in the city.

Find out more: labiennale.org