Palazzo Grimani di Santa Maria Formosa, Renaissance art museum in Castello district, Venice, Italy.
Palazzo Grimani di Santa Maria Formosa is a Renaissance palace in Venice's Castello district that now operates as a museum displaying ancient artworks. The building houses sculptures, marble pieces, and vases arranged within ornately decorated rooms featuring classical architectural proportions.
Antonio Grimani purchased a medieval building at this location in 1523. His grandsons later transformed it into a Renaissance palace with classical elements while assembling an important collection of ancient artworks.
The palazzo served as a residence for the Grimani family, who filled it with their passion for collecting ancient artworks. The decorated rooms show how wealthy Venetian families displayed sculptures and precious objects to demonstrate their taste and status.
The museum opens on most days during afternoon and early evening hours, giving visitors time to explore the rooms at a leisurely pace. Flat pathways connect the rooms, though steep stairs connect different floor levels.
One room stands out for its ceiling frescoes that depict detailed botanical illustrations of plants and animals against a light background. This rare decorative approach reveals how Renaissance collectors saw and appreciated the natural world.
Location: Venice
Creator: Camillo Mantovano
Official opening: December 20, 2008
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:30; Monday off; January 1 off; May 1 off; December 25 off
Phone: +390412411507
Email: pm-ven.grimani@beniculturali.it
Website: http://palagrimani.org
GPS coordinates: 45.43696,12.34225
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Venice offers many opportunities for photos. The city sits on over one hundred small islands connected by canals and bridges. The Grand Canal curves through the historic center, lined with palaces from different centuries. The Rialto Bridge spans the canal at its narrowest point and has served as a major crossing since the 16th century. St. Mark's Square forms the center of the city, with St. Mark's Basilica, the campanile, and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the former prison cells. On the surrounding islands, you can find other landmarks: Burano displays brightly painted houses, Murano is known for its glass workshops, and Torcello preserves Byzantine mosaics from the early Middle Ages. The Cannaregio district in the north houses the Jewish Museum and quieter canals away from the main routes. The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute stands at the entrance to the Grand Canal and shapes the city's skyline.
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