Museum
Punta della Dogana
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Punta della Dogana is a contemporary art museum housed in a former customs building at the tip of an island in the Dorsoduro district, where the Grand Canal meets the Giudecca Canal. The triangular area also includes the church of Santa Maria della Salute and the Patriarchal Seminary. The museum presents temporary exhibitions from the François Pinault Collection.
Don't miss
- The 17th-century statue of Fortune atop a golden globe, held by two statues of Atlas, which turns in the wind
- Tadao Ando's renovation, which left the stuccoed brick exterior intact and the interiors bare with exposed concrete floors
- The public sculpture Boy with Frog by Charles Ray, an eight-foot-tall boy holding a frog by its leg, originally installed in 2009
- The building's location at the tip of the island, diagonal from Piazza San Marco, with views of the Grand and Giudecca Canals
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Punta della Dogana
You can visit on your own (Paid entry). A tour adds transport and a guide, or combines nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inSan Marco Tour with Grand Canal Gondola Traghetto Crossing4.6★ · 11 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$14 per personSee dates →
Most bookedLegendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access4.7★ · 5,694 travelers2-3 hoursFrom$83 per personSee dates →
Top ratedVenice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour4.8★ · 4,539 travelers4-6 hoursFrom$129 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- The museum shows temporary exhibitions from the François Pinault Collection, not a permanent collection.
- The building is a former customs house, restored by architect Tadao Ando.
- It is located in the Dorsoduro district, adjacent to Santa Maria della Salute and the Patriarchal Seminary.
A bit of history
The point was used for docking and customs as early as the beginning of the 15th century. The customs building, Dogana da Mar, was built between 1678 and 1682 by Giuseppe Benoni. It was restored by architect Tadao Ando from January 2008 to March 2009, funded by François Pinault, who signed a 33-year agreement with the city. The building had been empty for decades prior.
Common questions
What kind of art is shown at Punta della Dogana?
It presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary art from the François Pinault Collection.
Who designed the renovation of the building?
The renovation was designed by architect Tadao Ando, completed in 2009.
Is there a notable sculpture outside the museum?
Yes, Boy with Frog by Charles Ray, an eight-foot-tall boy holding a frog by its leg, was installed at the tip of Punta della Dogana in 2009.
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