Gallerie dell'Accademia

About the museum

The Gallerie dell'Accademia grew out of the collection of works that the Accademia di pittura e scultura of Venice began to assemble from 1750 for teaching and restoration. After the fall of the Republic and the Napoleonic suppressions of churches and convents, many paintings left without a home were gathered in the Accademia.

In 1807 the collection was moved from its first site, the Fonteghetto della Farina, to the Santa Maria della Carità complex, made up of the convent of the Canons Regular of the Lateran, the church and the Scuola Grande. The galleries opened to the public in 1817. Between 1870 and 1882 the art school was separated from the museum, which passed to the State in 1879. In 1895 the paintings were rearranged in chronological order.

In the 20th century the museum underwent several rearrangements, including the one curated by Vittorio Moschini with Carlo Scarpa, completed in 1960, and extension and lighting works in the early 2000s. Since 2014 it has been a state museum with autonomous management within the Ministry of Culture. Today it holds the most important collection of Venetian painting in the world, with works by Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Carpaccio, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese, and it has restoration laboratories of international standing.

Highlights

• The Tempest by Giorgione
• Cycle of St Ursula by Carpaccio
• Feast in the House of Levi by Veronese
• St Mark Freeing a Slave by Tintoretto
• Presentation of Mary in the Temple by Titian, in its original location
• Triptych of the Hermits by Bosch

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente di pittura veneta – The route presents Venetian paintings from the 14th to the 18th century, with masterpieces by Giorgione, Carpaccio, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.

Founded

1750

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura (museo statale autonomo)

Visitors per year

approx. 361,934

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (“Domenica al Museo”); in 2026 also 6 January, 8 March (reserved for women), 5 April, 25 April, 2 June, 1 November and 4 November. On free days no booking is possible and admission is in order of arrival.

Free admission also for ICOM members and holders of the museum's membership card. Tickets are bought online through TicketOne.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Barrier-free entrance on the right side of the building, in Calle della Carità; lifts to the first floor and platform lifts between the rooms. The accessible route is interrupted between rooms XXII and XXIV on the first floor, so visitors are advised to ask the staff. Wheelchairs and folding stools are available free of charge. Free LIS video guide; in 2026 free guided routes for vulnerable audiences are planned with the association Didatticando.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Families are encouraged to visit the museum, with free admission for under-18s; the children's audio guide for ages 6 and up offers a treasure hunt among the main works.

Getting there & parking

On foot: about 20 minutes (1.5 km) from Piazzale Roma, about 25 minutes (1.8 km) from Santa Lucia station, about 15 minutes (1 km) from Piazza San Marco, about 5 minutes (350 m) from the Zattere.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bookshop at the entrance with guides and publications, mainly on Venetian art. Free lockers, with a €1 coin deposit; large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit