Italy Vacations - Venice - Art and Museums

This stunning building was built in the Renaissance, but displays traces of successive interventions up until the baroque period. It is often used as a concert hall, and is next to the San Rocco Church with which it is often mistaken. It is dedicated to Rocco, who cured the sick during the 14th-century plague. The interior decoration of the school was entrusted to Jacopo Tintoretto, whose works, such as the 'Allegories', 'Life and Passion of Christ', and episodes from the Old and New Testaments can be admired. Among the most famous displays are 'The Annuciation', 'The Epiphany', and 'The Flight to Egypt'. Admission is EUR5.

There is little more than this church on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The Benedictine Convent Church was built at the beginning of the year 1000, and was redesigned by Andrea Palladio in 1566. Its interior, which receives plenty of natural light, is full of works of art, amongst which are 'The Last Supper' and 'The Harvest' by Manna di Tintoretto, as well as murals by Tintoretto and Carpaccio. The bell tower offers one of the most beautiful views of San Marco in Venice.

Built from Istria stone in the 17th century, this palace is characterised by three facades that are decorated with eagles, from which one can see the Canale Grande. Tiepolo painted a fresco on the walls and ceiling of the Salone to mark the occasion of a marriage of someone from the Labia family. This is now the headquarters of the Veneto region's RAI and can only be visited by appointment, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; call for details. Admission is free.

Museo di Storia Naturale
S. Croce, 1730, Venice, Italy

This is a truly enlightening museum. It covers all the natural sciences. You'll find fossils, minerals, botanical collections, entomological collections, protozoa, molluscs and all kinds of vertebrates on display. There are also models of fishing boats and an antique lagoon boat. This makes a good alternative to the numerous museums in Venice.

Museo Fortuny
Palazzo Fortuny, San Beneto, 3780 San Marco, Venice, Italy

This was the house of Mariano Fortuny, friend and colleague of D'Annunzio, who was a set designer, inventor, fabric manufacturer, and photography enthusiast, of Catalan origin. The house, which looks like a theatre set, is a vision of furnishings, objects, textiles and ornaments from the beginning of the last century. Mariano Fortuny created objects which are still being produced, and the originals can be admired here. The style is a mix of art nouveau and art deco.