Biblioteca Marciana
Library
One of the largest libraries in Europe
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
One of the largest libraries in Italy and Europe
The impressive library opposite the Doge’s Palace is known by many names: Biblioteca Marciana, Libreria Sansoviniana, National Library of St. Mark’s, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana or Libreria di San Marco, to name just a few of them. It is considered a major work by the architect and sculptor Sansovino, who started construction of the building in 1537. After his death Vincenzo Scamozzi completed the construction in 1588. The master architect Andrea Palladio once described the library as the most beautiful building since ancient times.
The Biblioteca Marciana features not only a magnificent and pompous façade, but also valuable top-class décor within. Works by famous Venetian artists such as Alessandro Vittoria, Titian and Tintoretto adorn the walls and ceilings. In addition to these paintings, it contains an impressive collection of more than 750,000 books, 13,000 manuscripts and 24,000 prints, which makes the Biblioteca Marciana one of the largest libraries in Italy and Europe. The building of the National Library of St. Mark’s also contains the National Archaelogical Museum, which features numerous Greek and Roman exhibits.
Opening hours
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Landing stage: San Zaccaria or Vallaresso San Marco
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