A friend of mine was in Venice a few weeks ago and told me that many of the works are on tour in the US, so she found it only so so. I missed the Accademia on my first trip to Venice a few years ago, but I'm returning next month. It's my daughter's first trip to Venice and we only have a day and a half, so I'm wondering if we should pass on the Accademia until the next time. Has anyone been there lately, and what would you suggest?
Thanks for any feedback.
Yes, I was there on May 7, 2019. Significant portions are under renovation and hence closed off. They have a temporary exhibit that includes the original Leonardo Vitruvian Man sketch which is rarely on display, along with other Leonardo sketches. This was a worthwhile exhibit and definitely a highlight of my visit. They also have excellent three Bosch triptychs (actually one has four panels), which were the other highlight. A lot does seem to be on tour other places. I think this is common when museums renovate. What was left was heavily focused on religious art, little of the variety that you would get at say the Uffizi or the Borghese. I was never a very big fan of the Venetian School and was hoping to be convinced otherwise by this visit. Sadly I did feel as if the works on view did not provide the basis for winning me over. I still think it's worth visiting for the works referenced above. It was also very uncrowded during my visit, your experience may vary since it sounds as if you will visit in July. This is also a quieter and pleasant corner of Venice to visit. I would say go ahead and visit if the Leonardo and Bosch interest you but don't plan on spending four hours there. More time for the rest of Venice!
Website states renovations would be 960 days from June 7 2017. By calculation, that puts them completed by mid Jan 2020.
I missed it first time to Venice as well and was a key component to returning in April 2020. Hopefully the extra 3 months means it will actually be out from under wraps by then.
Bummer.
The Accademia is not my favorite museum in Venice. I enjoyed the Doges Palace, Sant Marks Cathedral and the Peggy Gugenheim museums the most. With only aday and a half, be sure to allow time just to wander around and enjoy the off the main track canals. It’s great to sit at an outdoor cafe for a meal, snack and/or drink.
@vftravels Thanks for the report on the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit. I found out about that exhibit a few months ago and bought tickets. I am excited that Vitruvian Man is on display! Tickets for my family of four were not very expensive, so there's that. We have never been to Italy so we decided to go for it as we have two full days in Venice. We leave for Italy in just over a week.
"With only aday and a half, be sure to allow time just to wander around and enjoy the off the main track canals."
That's what I was going to say, too. On such a short visit, unless you or your daughter have a very special interest in a particular museum or "sight," let Venice itself be the sight.
