Hidden away from the centre and tourists, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of Venice’s most important cultural landmarks. In the 18th century, this land belonged to the powerful Venier dei Leoni family. The family dreamt of building the most beautiful palace on the Grand Canal, but this never happened. We still don’t know why their plans failed, but the residence ended up with only one floor instead of four. Locals began to call it the “palazzo Nonfinito”, or “the unfinished palace”. In 1949, the famous American heiress Peggy Guggenheim bought the building after losing her father on the Titanic. A passionate art collector who sponsored many great artists of the 20th century, she gathered an extraordinary collection, showcasing a unique perspective on modern art. She died in 1979, leaving everything to her uncle, who founded this institution in her name. Though relatively small, the museum houses an impressive variety of works by around 200 iconic painters, including Modigliani, Picasso, Magritte, Pollock, Dalí and many more. While there’s an entrance fee, it’s worth every penny. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in cubism, realism and expressionism, under the watchful presence of Madame Guggenheim herself, who is buried here.