In this article, I present Venice's Palazzo Grimania palace richly furnished with works of art.
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Palazzo Grimani and its history
- What you can see in this palace
- How to reach him easily
- Practical information: prices, opening hours, reservations
- Nearby attractions
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Palazzo Grimani, you'll love this article.
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Palazzo Grimani: article summary
Palazzo Grimani: a state museum with precious works of art
Visit Palazzo Grimani - or Palazzo Grimani di Santa Maria Formosa of its full name - is a state museum that is rarely mentioned among Venice's major monuments. And yet, thanks to its history, architecture and works of art, it's well worth a visit.
A brief history of the Palais Grimani
The Palace dates back to the Middle Ages, but the date of its construction remains uncertain. It was invested by Antonio Grimani when he became Doge of Venice in 1521, hence the name. On his death, it was inherited by his nephews Giovanni and Vettore, until Giovanni became the sole owner.
He will proceed to a building modernizationThe company's new design was inspired by the work of major 16th-century artists such as Camillo Mantovano and Federico Zuccari.
Giovanni Grimani is a fine art collector and, over time, he accumulated antique works - statues, vases, precious stones, bronzes, etc. - which he exhibited in the Palais. - which he displayed in the Palace. In 1587, he donated his collection to the Republic of Venice before passing away in 1593.
The palace remained in the hands of the Grimani family until 1865, when it changed owners several times. Eventually, the State acquired it, in an advanced state of disrepairto restore it and open it to the public as a museum in 2008.
Good to know Not to be confused with the Palazzo Grimani di San Luca, 1 km to the west in the same district!
The architecture of the Palais Grimani
After a long period of renovation, the Palazzo Grimani has been restored to its former glory, and remains a major subject of study for many historians and archaeologists.
The outdoors is appreciated for its superb façadeknown for its two entrances: one on land, the other via the small San Severo canal. The latter was the most frequently used in the past.
We can appreciate its inner courtyardA must-see for visitors, with its columns, loggias and atypical windows. A first glimpse of a style that blends Venetian and Roman architecture of the period.
Then it's time to enter the Palais Grimani to discover the rooms housing the works of art!
What can you see in Venice's Palazzo Grimani?
The Palais Grimani consists of two floorswhich include numerous rooms.
Don't forget to observe carefully the monumental staircase which leads to the second floor. From its frescoes to its bas-reliefs, it is a true marvel, comparable to the Golden Staircase found in the Doge's Palace !
Afterwards, the route will allow you to discover :
- Visit chambre d'Orwith its Greek statues. In the past, tapestries with gold thread covered the walls, hence its name.
- Visit Foliage roomwith its incredible decorated ceiling
- The Antiquarium (or Tribune), certainly the most impressive room in Palazzo Grimani. Up to 130 sculptures were displayed in its vaults!
- Visit Doge's roompreceded by a vestibule and the chapel, whose finely decorated walls are a reminder of the importance of this trio of rooms.
- Visit dining room and the neoclassical bedroomwhere you can see a work by Giorgione on the walls (the same artist who decorated Fondacco dei Tedeschi) and a ceiling with a work inspired by the Saint John baptizing the crowd by Nicolas Poussin, on display at the Louvre.
- The rooms of Apollo, Callisto and Psycheon the walls of which you can follow, thanks to strikingly detailed decorations, the legends of the
From floor to ceiling, Palazzo Grimani is teeming with details, frames, busts and statues that will delight art lovers.
The palace regularly plays host to varied exhibitions. In 2022, for example, exhibitions such as The Flaying of Marsyas by Mary Weatherford, Buddhist art forms or even Imperfect frames, 4 poetesses at the Palais Grimani, which were the focus of the temporary exhibitions.
The full program is available Here.
How do I get to Palazzo Grimani in Venice?
Palazzo Grimani is located at the following address: Castello Ramo Grimani, 4858, 30122 Venice
To get there, you can take a vaporetto and get off at one of the following stops: San Silvestro or Rialto.
Please note if you're planning to take the vaporetto in Venice, there are a Vaporetto Pass which allows you to take them unlimited and save money
Palazzo Grimani: prices, opening hours and practical information
Here's everything you need to know before visiting the Palais Grimani.
Rates and booking
- Adult ticket: 4 euros
- Reduced rate: 2 euros (18-25 years)
- Free for children under 18
You can reserve your date and time or visit us directly on the day.
Opening hours
The Palazzo Grimani Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8.15am to 7.15pm in winter, 10am to 7pm in summer.
On Sundays, it opens from 2pm to 7pm.
Practical information
Visit an hour or two maximum to visit this hidden gem.
Please note that on the first Sunday of each month, visits are free of charge. free of charge for all. Venetians often take advantage of this day to visit the Palace, but it's rarely crowded. It's very pleasant!
What to see and do in the area?
Palazzo Grimani is located in Castello district and there are many attractions in the vicinity. Here are a few suggestions:
- Visit unusual visits of the flooded crypt of the Church of San Zaccaria, and the original Acqua Alta bookshop
- Venice's arsenalto the east of the Palais
- To the south, you come to the famous Piazza San Marco and the many places of interest in just a few hours. 7 minutes on foot!
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