Naval History Museum, Venice
The Naval History Museum is dedicated to the history of the navy of Venice and all of Italy. It is located in the Campo San Biagio area, near the ancient Arsenal, and occupies a worthy place among the sights of the city. The Naval History Museum was founded in 1919 with the active support of the Royal Italian Navy. The collection was based on the exposition of the "House of models" of the Venetian Arsenal, in which models of the ships that were being built, as well as weapons and trophies of the Republic of Venice were presented.
The museum was moved to the modern building only in 1964. Originally, the house built in the 15th century served as a granary, where grain was stored, from which solid biscuits – hardtack – were prepared for the rowers. Now on the fifth floor of the building the largest collection of naval relics is represented.
Exhibits of the museum
The museum's collection is located in 42 rooms, the total area of which is 4000 square meters and it is divided into a number of thematic exhibitions:
- Before the main entrance to the museum, an exhibition of military trophies from the period of the First World War was opened. Special attention should be paid to two anchors of warships, similar to those found in Rome at the entrance to the main headquarters of the Italian Navy.
- On the second floor, in a separate room, the pride of the museum – 45 meters long Bucintoro is exhibited. Once this boat was richly decorated with gold and sculptures and it served as the ceremonial gallery of Venetian doges. The annual ceremony of betrothal with the sea was held in it. Until now, only a small part of the sculptures have survived.
- On the fourth floor there is a Swedish hall – a collection dedicated to the connection between the Italian and Swedish fleets.
- A hall of ships is the gem of the museum's collection, where a lot of ships of different epochs are collected, but it is open only on special occasions.
How to get there
The Naval History Museum is located in the central part of Venice. You can get here on a vaporetto – water bus, to the station Arsenale.
Opening hours:
- Monday – Thursday – from 08:45 to 13:30;
- Friday from 08:45 to 17:00;
- Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
