The library, by Jacopo Sansovino, was built and decorated with the most well known painters’ works of the Renaissance between 1537 and 1560 to worthily accommodate the Greek and Latin codes given to the Venetian Republic by the Cardinal Bessarione in 1468. Still today it belongs as monumental office to the Marciana National Library, together with the building of the Zecca, where there are the reading rooms and the offices.
From the gate, decorated with two Caryatids by Vittoria, you enter the Library through a noble stair with two flights, with vault ceiling along which there are six Roman columns of rare marbles from the Basilica in Pola. On the first floor there is one of the rarest sample of the wonderful aerial view map of Venice by Jacopo de' Barbari (1500), a masterpiece of art and precise copy of the real form of the city.
On the ceiling of the vestibule, that once was the Museo Statuario della Repubblica and held some Greek statues and reliefs, stands out La Sapienza by Tiziano (1560).
The sala della Libreria (Library hall) covered by a vault decorated with works by seven artists chosen by Tiziano and Sansovino, have on its walls portraits of philosophers, some of them by Tintoretto and Veronese. The current library has precious manuscripts, such as the 16th century’s Breviario Grimani and some old editions, among them some by Aldo Manuzio.
Useful information:
Opening times:
- Winter Season: (from November 1st to March 31st): Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Summer Season: (from April 1st to October 31st): Open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Meanwhile starting from Monday, September 1, 2025: Reading Rooms Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 6:15 PM
For two weeks in August, the Reading Rooms will be closed to the public to allow for activities related to reviewing, reorganization, preservation, conservation, and restoration.
Prices:
First Option: "I MUSEI DI SAN MARCO"
"The Museums of St. Mark’s Square" Ticket – Full price: €30.00 // Reduced price: €15.00
(This ticket is valid for the integrated itinerary that includes: the Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library.)
Advance online booking discount (at least 30 days in advance): Full price: €25.00 // Reduced price: €13.00. Tickets available at: https://muve.vivaticket.it/it/event/musei-p-san-marco-ducale/155153?idt=...
Second Option: MUSEUM PASS
The "Museum Pass" grants access to all Civic Museums of Venice, including the Museums of St. Mark’s Square and many others such as Ca’ Rezzonico, Ca’ Pesaro, Palazzo Mocenigo, and more.
(Visit the website for more details: https://www.visitmuve.it)
- MUSEUM PASS Full price: €40.00
- MUSEUM PASS Reduced price: €22.00
Tickets available at: https://muve.vivaticket.it/it/event/museum-pass/188682
Contacts:
Tel: +39 041 2407211
E-mail: b-marc@cultura.gov.it
For any further information, please check website: https://bibliotecanazionalemarciana.cultura.gov.it/
Address: Piazza S.Marco 13/a cap 30124 - Venezia
How to get there: water-bus, stop "San Marco" or "San Zaccaria"
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