Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana is a triangular building at the meeting point of the Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal that shows contemporary art exhibitions in converted historic rooms. The galleries spread across several floors and connect old brick walls with smooth modern surfaces and large openings toward the water.

The building was erected in 1682 as a customs house and served for more than three centuries to inspect all goods arriving in Venice. In 2006 Japanese architect Tadao Ando began converting the rooms for the François Pinault Foundation art collection, which opened in 2009.

The name refers to the customs officers who once inspected every shipment entering the republic and regulated trade along the waterfront. Today art lovers from around the world visit the rotating displays in high-ceilinged rooms with exposed wooden beams and light reflected from the canal.

The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday and closes on Monday, with hours that may shift slightly depending on the season. Visitors should plan some time to walk through all floors and view the exhibitions at a comfortable pace.

On top of the building stands a golden sphere with two bronze figures holding a weathervane that turns with the wind. From the windows you can see three major Venetian waterways at once, giving the location its particular character.

Location: Venice

Inception: June 6, 2009

Official opening: June 6, 2009

Operator: François Pinault Foundation

Address: Dorsoduro, 2, 30123 Venezia VE

Website: https://palazzograssi.it

GPS coordinates: 45.43080,12.33618

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31