Museo Correr

The Museo Correr takes its name from Teodoro Correr (1750–1830), a passionate art collector and member of an old Venetian aristocratic family. Upon his death in 1830, he bequeathed to the city not only his art collection but also his palace at San Zan Degolà, along with funds for its maintenance and future expansion. His collection became the nucleus around which the Musei Civici di Venezia later developed.

Initially, the collection was not displayed as a unified whole; although it opened to the public in 1836, it was only under its third curator, Vincenzo Lazari, that it became a true museum — both a place of study for scholars and an exhibition space for notable works and artefacts.

Expanded through further donations, the museum was moved in 1887 from Palazzo Correr at San Zan Degolà to the nearby Fondaco dei Turchi, with a complete reorganisation of the displays. In 1922, the Museo Correr was relocated once again to its current home in St Mark’s Square, occupying the Napoleonic Wing and part of the Procuratie Nuove.

Today, its spacious rooms present collections that document many facets of Venetian history — from daily life to civic institutions, from naval achievements to traditional festivities. The museum also houses an exceptional art collection, extending across the second floor and covering Venetian painting from its earliest developments to the 16th century, with numerous masterpieces on display. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly held.