The Palazzo Grassi is a building on the Grand Canal of Venice. Today it houses a museum of modern and contemporary art. The monumental staircase is painted with frescoes depicting 18th century daily life in the city.
Palazzo Grassi Venice
Address, opening times and entrance fee
The address of Palazzo Grassi is Campo San Samuele, 3231 (tel. +39 0415231680). Vaporetto, 1, 52. Opening hours: From 10:00 to 19:00. Closed: Tuesday, December 25. Entrance fee: 15 Euro. Combi-ticket with Punto della Dogana: 20 Euro.
History and description
Built in the 2nd half of the 18th century, the Palazzo Grassi is one of the more subdued Baroque palaces along the canal.
The architect was Giorgio Massari and he built it on behalf of the Grassi family.
The palace was sold in 1840 and then had several owners until it came into the hands of the FIAT group in 1983.
The current owner is François Pinault, who had it restored in 2005 by Tadao Ando. He transformed the building into the seat of the Pinault Collection of Contemporary and Contemporary Art.
What to see
In addition to the modern art collection itself, the monumental staircase is particularly striking. It is decorated with frescoes painted by Michelangelo Morlaiter. The theme of the works is the life of Venetians in the 18th century.