Its collections trace back to those established during the Republic of Venice, when shipbuilders’ models were kept at the Arsenal in a special building known as the “House of Models”—serving in those days as an archive for ship designs.
Instead of technical drawings, scale models were used as the main project plan: real ships were then built directly from these prototypes. Some historic models from the Republic survived the looting of the Arsenal in 1797 and are now displayed in the museum, alongside relics from Venetian vessels, models of ships built in the Arsenal throughout the periods of French and Austrian occupation (1797-1866), and both historic and modern models from the Italian Navy.
The models on display go far beyond Venice, featuring a remarkable collection of miniature fishing boats from the seas of China and the Far East.
The museum’s centerpiece is the spectacular model of the Bucintoro, the Doge’s ceremonial ship. Alongside scale models, the museum also exhibits authentic memorabilia from historical naval battles.
A section of the museum is dedicated to the Ship Pavilion, located near the Arsenal Bridge and open to visitors only on Saturdays (2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.) and on Sundays (11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.), with fixed departure times and a maximum of 25 participants per slot.
An area covering two thousand square meters, where you’ll find typical Venetian boats, antique ceremonial gondolas, traditional working boats from the lagoon, military vessels—including one of the few surviving motor torpedo boats from the Italian Navy after World War II—and racing boats such as the famed 1930s “Asso” racer (Baglietto hull, Isotta Fraschini engine, piloted by Cattaneo).
Venice Naval History Museum: Info
From 1/4 to 31/10: Monday to Thursday 8:45 am – 1:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 8:45 am – 5:30 pm; Sunday and holidays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. From 1/11 to 31/03: Monday to Thursday 8:45 am – 1:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 8:45 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday and holidays 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
5.00 euros
