Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana Museum is an exciting feature of the artsy Dorsoduro. The triangle building, now home to the museum, used to be the Sea Customs House for the Republic of Venice. Today it is home to the museum, which is a wonderful display of modern art and architecture. Its location falls on the point of the Venice map, where the Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal meet. It is one of the city’s landmarks.

Getting into the museum

The best way to get to Punta della Dogana Museum is by ferry line #1. It will take you to the Salute, the closest stop, a few meters from the museum. It's open every day except Tuesday. There are admission fees, full-priced and discounted. Wednesdays are free for Venice residents and students of some local universities. We recommend booking the tickets online to avoid crowds and have a relaxing experience. 

History & architecture of the museum

The original building was completed in 1682 by Giuseppe Benoni and served its purpose until the 1980s. Later, the building was empty and abandoned for over 20 years. It wasn't until 2007 that the Japanese architect Tadao Ando won the tender and took on the restoration project. Today, Punta della Dogana Museum is an exceptional mix of industrial and minimalistic styles. Visitors can enjoy textures like glass, wood, and signature red brick. The restored brick facade is the only part left of the original building. Many parts were changed and renovated. Notice the roof tower with the Fortuna, a sculpture of two Atlases holding the golden globe. It turns and shows the direction of the wind. 

Artworks in the museum

The renovated Punta della Dogana Museum opened its doors to the public in June 2009. Together with Palazzo Grassi and Teatrino, it is one of the three Venice exhibition areas of the Pinault Collection. Collection items on display change regularly, so the museum offers something fresh throughout the year. There are temporary exhibitions with artists like Nancy Spero, Danh Vo, Robert Manson, and others. 5000 sq. meters of this art space are ready for you to explore.

Things to do in the area

One of Venice's best-known neighborhoods, Dorsoduro, is full of amazing attractions. The famous Santa Maria della Salute is very close to the museum, so you can't miss it. The incredible Piazza San Marco with its St. Mark's Basilica, the best of Venice, is about 10 minutes away by ferry. And if you get thirsty or hungry, there are plenty of places to take a break. For instance, grab a delicious panini at the 60/40 Cafe or enjoy an exquisite meal at Gio's. It comes with an incredible view of the Venetian lagoon. With veniceXplorer you can have the most authentic Venice experience.