The grave of Peggy Guggenheim in the garden of the Venier dei Leoni Palace in Venice

On the Grand Canal of Venice towards St Mark's Square there is a strange building that has only one storey. The project was much more ambitious (3 levels), but the Venier family ran out of money and were only able to complete the first floor.

This curious building houses one of the most famous museums of Venice, the modern art collection of Peggy Guggenheim. The Venier dei Leoni Palace was in fact bought by the American billionaire in 1948, who made it her home until her death in 1979. Peggy was an important collector of modern art and protected great artists such as Kandinsky, Duchamp, Brancusi, Max Ernst, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock. After her death, the building and the collections became the property of the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation in New York.

Even the garden of the Venier dei Leoni Palace contains various works of art, especially sculptures. In a corner of the garden, where Peggy's ashes are buried her beloved pooches are also with her. This is the only case in the world where the creator of a museum is buried inside.

Venice is full of curious anecdotes, ask for the availability of our guide Francesca, the author of this article by filling in the following form! She will be happy to take you on a fascinating tour to share her love for this wonderful city with you!