Assembled originally by Napoleon, the Accademia Gallery of Venice has now re-opened following extensive refurbishment which includes the addition of thirty new rooms.
The Accademia housed in the Scuola della Carità on the south bank of the Grand Canal, is one of the world’s greatest art treasure houses, and includes pieces by world-famous artists such as Bellini, Canaletto, Tintoretto, Titian and Leonardo da Vinci.
The thirty new rooms in the art museum are the result of an eight year restoration of the huge complex of Santa Maria della Carità, former main seat of the Accademy of Fine Arts. The Palladio’s internal courtyard dates back to 1561 and the famous oval spiral staircase which was mentioned by Goethe who described it as “the most beautiful spiral staircase in the world” are particular highlights of the property and are not to be missed.
