Ca’ Rezzonico is a palace museum on Venice’s Grand Canal, in the Dorsoduro district, devoted to 18th-century Venetian art and life. Its rooms bring together frescoes, paintings, furniture and decorative objects in the setting of an aristocratic residence. Look for works by Giambattista Tiepolo and Francesco Guardi, the grand ballroom and Murano glass chandeliers. The museum spans several floors, so allow time to take in both the art and the palace interiors.
A palace built for Venetian nobility
Ca’ Rezzonico stands on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro. The Bon family commissioned the palace, and the architect Baldassare Longhena began the design in the 17th century. Giorgio Massari later completed the building. Its pale stone façade, rows of arches and windows, and grand scale make the palace distinctive from the water as well as from inside.
The Rezzonico family later gave the palace its name. Today, its rooms house the Museum of 18th-Century Venice. The setting is central to the visit: art and furnishings are displayed within an aristocratic residence, giving the collection a close connection to the domestic world it represents.
Rooms, frescoes and paintings
The museum extends over three floors, with paintings, sculpture, furniture and decorative objects from 18th-century Venice. The grand staircase leads to richly decorated rooms and the two-storey ballroom, one of the palace’s principal spaces. Original furnishings and frescoed ceilings help convey the formal character of the residence.
Look for ceiling paintings by Giambattista Tiepolo, including the work in the Throne Room, as well as paintings by Francesco Guardi and Rosalba Carriera. The palace also contains works by Jacopo Tintoretto and other Venetian artists. Murano glass chandeliers and tapestries add to the period interiors. Take your time moving between rooms; the artworks are part of a larger display of how the palace was furnished and decorated.
Collections and how to plan your visit
Alongside the palace rooms, the museum includes the Egidio Martini Art Gallery, with paintings from the Venetian school spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. The Mestrovich Collection includes works by artists such as Jacopo Tintoretto, Giandomenico Tiepolo, Francesco Guardi and Alessandro Longhi. These collections broaden the visit beyond the palace’s 18th-century focus.
Plan for around two hours if you want to see the floors and collections at a measured pace. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and open on other listed days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended. The building has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
FAQ
Where is Ca’ Rezzonico?
It is at Dorsoduro 3136, on the Grand Canal in Venice.
How long should I spend at Ca’ Rezzonico?
Allow about two hours to explore the palace and its collections across the floors.
Is Ca’ Rezzonico closed on any day?
Yes. It is closed on Tuesdays.
Is Ca’ Rezzonico wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
