The Palazzo Grassi

Now that you’re at the edge of the canal, look across to the opposite quay— notice the first three-storey building to the left of the bell tower. Built between 1748 and 1772 for a wealthy Venetian family, who it’s named after, the Palazzo Grassi has been one of Venice’s cultural landmarks since 2005. This transformation is the work of French billionaire François Pinault, who made his fortune in the fashion and retail industry. After buying the property from the Agnelli dynasty—that created the Fiat empire—the businessman turned it into a centre for modern and contemporary art. Over 3,000 pieces from his personal collection are now on display. Inside, there are 40 rooms featuring paintings by artists such as Picasso, De Kooning, and Andy Warhol. Every single detail has been thought through, and the paid temporary exhibitions often compliment the building’s architecture.