Venice cultural life

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The City of Venice was founded around 1,500 years ago and now sprawls over 117 small islands and has some 150 canals and more than 400 bridges. Venice's metropolitan area is around 458 square miles (1,178 square kilometres) with a population of about 310,000 inhabitants. The historic centre is divided into six areas (known as sestieri), San Polo, San Marco, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce and Castello and is deceptively small (3 square miles/7.6 square kilometres). However, like many old Italian cities, it is very easy to get lost between the Piazzas and small, winding streets, which may make your walk longer than necessary, but is probably much more interesting! There are numerous, famous Venice attractions and landmarks, such as the Basilica San Marco, an enormous church which is one of the most famous sights associated with Venice, along with Piazza San Marco, which is situated in the heart of the city, Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), a breathtaking waterfront palace and a superb example of Gothic architecture, in fact the list could go on and on. We recommend that if you do visit Venice during the high season, to be prepared for the vast number of visitors and to overcome this, be adventurous and explore off the beaten track. We hope you enjoy your stay and come back soon!

Gallerie dell'Accademia, Dorsoduro (Accademia boat/vaporetto stop). 14th to 18th century art - a fascinating collection of art, containing many of Venice's finest. Audio guides (of the handheld digital type) are available, but please bring some ID so that it can be used as a deposit/guarantee of return.
Open: Monday, 9.00am - 2.00pm; Tuesday - Friday, 9.00am - 7.00pm; Sunday 9.00am - 8.00pm
Tickets: Approx. 6.50 Euros

Museo del '700 Veneziano, Ca' Rezzonico (S. Barnaba boat/vaporetto stop) Tel: 041 520 40 36/041 241 01 00. Venetian art in the 18th century. Several masterpieces, including some by Guardi, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Longhi to name but a few.

Palazzo Ducale, Piazzetta San Marco, (S. Marco boat/vaporetto stop) Tel: 041 522 49 51. This was once the old seat of the government and law courts and then the Doges' residence from the 9th century until the fall of the Serenissima Republic. Several important and beautiful works of art can be found in the richly decorated halls.
Open: Weekdays, weekends and holidays, 8.45am - 7.00pm
Last admission: 5.30pm
Tickets: Approx. 9.00 Euros (including Museum Correr, Glass Museum, Lace Museum, Palazzo Mocenigo and Ca' Rezzonico)

Glass Museum/Museo Vetrario - Murano Fondamenta Giustinian, (Museo boat/vaporetto stop (Murano Island)) Tel: 041 739 586. The history and development of the fine Venetian glass art over the centuries.
Open: Daily 10.00am - 5.00pm
Closed: Wednesdays
Tickets: Approx. 4 Euros

Correr Museum, San Marco 52, Ala Napoleonica, Piazza San Marco. Tel: 041 522 56 25. The museum offers an exciting itinerary to discover the art and the history of Venice. The museum was established through a collection donated to the City of Venice by Teodoro Correr in 1830. Since then, the museum has grown through later gifts, donations and acquisitions, which provide the rich and varied heritage of the Venetian Civic Museums. It features a vast collection of both written works and objects belonging to the Serenissima Republic.
Open: Daily, 9.00am - 7.00pm
Closed: December 25th, January 1st, May 1st - Ticket office closes 1 hour before the museum does

Gughenheim Collection, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, 701 Dorsoduro. Tel: 041 240 54 11. This well renowned collection of art is located in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni (former Peggy Guggenheim's home). The museum contains one of the greatest collection of both European and American art of the 20th century. There are several works by famous artists, such as Jackson Pollock, Picasso, Kandinsky, Giacometti, Ernst, etc. Also, there is an interesting collection of tribal art from Africa and Australasia and several other temporary exhibitions.
Open: Daily, except Tusdays, 10.00am - 6.00pm
Tickets: Approx. 8.00 Euros (ticket office closes 1 hour before the museum does)
Closed: December 25th - but open on several other national holidays

Ca' d'Oro, Cannaregio 3931-3932. Tel: 041 523 8790. In English Ca' d'Oro can be translated as 'House of Gold'. Originally built in the 1400s, the gilding has long since eroded away. However, its architecture and lavish interior complement the exquisite artefacts which are on display. The façade is decorated with soft pink and white stone in a shaped in a Gothic style. The building was meticulously renovated in the early 20th century by Baron Franchetti, who also donated his private collection to the museum. Today, the museum complex also includes the adjoining Ca Duodo Palazzo to form a wonderful interconnecting paradise of art, sculptures and decorative artefacts. There is a splendid courtyard ornamented with statues and floored with patterned marble. Also, not to be missed is the view of the Grand Canal from the Palazzo's terrace.
Open: Monday 8.00am - 2.00pm and Tuesday - Sunday 8.15am - 7.15pm
Closed: January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
Vaporetto: Ca' d'Oro
Tickets: Approx 3.00 Euros

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