The Gallerie Dell’Accademia in Venice

In Venice, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts.

Join Captain Ulysses in exploring one of the city’s most iconic museums, home to the world’s largest collection of Venetian art.

Follow the guide!

The Gallerie dell’Accademia in a few words

A Bit of History

The Academy of Fine Arts of Venice was established in 1750 at the request of the Venetian Senate, which aimed to provide the City of the Doges with a school for painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Soon, the Academy became a reference in the study of fine arts, gathering a team of brilliant professors, including the renowned Italian painter Giambattista Tiepolo. Ahead of its time, the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice began restoring ancient paintings as early as the late 18th century.

In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had conquered the Serenissima ten years earlier, created the painting galleries of the Academy of Fine Arts, opening the collections to the public. Under Napoleon’s orders, the Academy of Fine Arts also moved to its current location, where the Gallerie dell’Accademia is now situated.

In 2004, the Academy of Fine Arts was relocated to other buildings to allow for the expansion of the museum galleries.

Over the years, the museum’s collections have grown, thanks in part to donations and the patronage of wealthy collectors. The Gallerie dell’Accademia now houses more than 800 paintings and frescoes dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including an invaluable collection of works by Italian masters.

Did You Know?

While it might be tempting to refer to the Gallery dell’Accademia in the singular, this is actually incorrect! this is actually incorrect!

In Italian, “gallerie” is the plural form of the word “galleria.”

So, it should be the Gallerie dell’Accademia (Galleries of the Academy)!

Visiting the Gallerie Dell’Accademia in Venice

The Buildings of the Gallerie dell’Accademia

Just steps from the Grand Canal and the Accademia Bridge, the Gallerie dell’Accademia occupies a large complex spread across three former religious buildings:

• the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Carità
• the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Carità
• the Monastero de Canonici Lateranensi

Tour of the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice

The Gallerie dell’Accademia trace the evolution of Venetian art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. It provides a beautiful overview of the various styles and movements that have marked the history of Italian art: Byzantine, Baroque, and more.

The museum’s 24 rooms are organized around two courtyards, the largest of which was designed by the architect Andrea Palladio, who also led the construction of the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.

Since the Academy of Fine Arts was relocated to another building in 2004, the Gallerie dell’Accademia has been gradually expanded, and its size is expected to nearly double eventually.

The Artworks of the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice

The Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice houses the largest collection of Venetian art in the world.

The museum exhibits several hundred sculptures, drawings, and paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, featuring a multitude of works by some of the greatest Italian painters: Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, Canaletto, Veronese, Bellini, Giorgione, and Vittore Carpaccio.

Captain Ulysses was also enchanted by the magnificent collection of medieval paintings in the galleries, featuring Madonnas and Byzantine icons.

What about the Vitruvian Man?

Yes, the Gallerie dell’Accademia is home to the Vitruvian Man, the iconic drawing by Leonardo da Vinci.

But why is it so famous? The Vitruvian Man, inscribed within a circle and a square, represents the perfect proportions of the human body. Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing has become a symbol of rationalism, Humanism, and the Renaissance in general.

Practical Information

Opening Hours of the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice

The Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice are open:

• Monday: 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM (last entry at 1:00 PM)
• Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 AM to 7:15 PM (last entry at 6:15 PM)

The Gallerie dell’Accademia are closed on December 25 and January 1^.

Access to the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice

To reach the Gallerie dell’Accademia, head to the Dorsoduro district. The galleries are located just steps from the Accademia Bridge and the Grand Canal.

They are easily accessible on foot (10-15 minutes from St. Mark’s Square) and by vaporetto. The nearest stations are Accademia and Salute (near Santa Maria della Salute). If you plan to use the vaporetto and/or bus several times, Captain Ulysses suggests getting a transport pass.

👉 Book your bus + vaporetto pass

Admission

Tickets for the Gallerie dell’Accademia are priced at:

• €15 for a full-price ticket
• €2 for a reduced-price ticket (ages 18-25)
• Free for those under 18, people with disabilities, students, etc.

Audioguide for the Gallerie dell’Accademia

To make the most of your visit, you can opt for the audioguide (€6), which provides valuable explanations about a wide selection of the museum’s iconic works.

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