Fondaco dei Turchi / Museo di Storia Naturale (Turks' Inn / Natural History Museum), Venice

Situated majestically along the Grand Canal, the Turks' Inn ("Fondaco dei Turchi") is an architectural marvel embodying the captivating Veneto-Gothic style. Its construction traces back to the early 13th century, and in the 1800s it was heralded as "a Byzantine palace", a rare non-ecclesiastical gem in Venice. Once considered one of Europe's most unique and intriguing edifices, it stood as a significant exemplar of Italo-Byzantine architecture. However, in 1869, the government undertook extensive modernization efforts, resulting in a partial reconstruction of this historic landmark.

Having served as a residence for esteemed visitors, the building acquired its epithet "dei Turchi" when the Ottoman Turkish community repurposed it as a fondaco—a multifunctional establishment combining dwelling, warehouse, and marketplace for Turkish traders. With the decline in Oriental commerce, the fondaco fell into disrepair until Austrian authorities commenced restoration work in the 1850s.

Since 1923, the Turks' Inn has been home to the Natural History Museum ("Museo di Storia Naturale"). After years of meticulous restoration, the museum recently reopened its doors, presenting its exhibits using captivating and contemporary techniques while maintaining the intellectual rigor of its content. The initial sequence of rooms guides visitors through the fossil collection, thoughtfully arranged to trace the evolutionary process—highlighting this narrative are fossilized animal tracks ingeniously embedded in the flooring. The museum also features sections dedicated to locomotion, with separate showcases for land, water, and airborne creatures.

Noteworthy are the extraordinary artifacts amassed by Giovanni Miani during his expedition in 1859-60 to discover the source of the Nile, as well as a striking collection of African hunting trophies amassed by Giuseppe de Reali. In a long room overlooking the magnificent Grand Canal, visitors can marvel at a splendid array of cabinets illustrating the evolution of the study of natural history in Venice, including exquisitely grisly specimens of dissected animals. A meticulous reconstruction of a Wunderkammer, or Cabinet of Curiosities, awaits exploration—a treasure trove of zoological, botanical, and mineralogical wonders akin to the abodes of Renaissance scholars and erudite minds of subsequent centuries.

While the collection is vast and captivating, it is worth noting that the museum caters primarily to Italian-speaking visitors, as the captions are exclusively in Italian.

Why You Should Visit:
Fascinating fossils inside, and excellent showcase of the collection, including the traditional 19th-century presentation for some of the animal collections.
Notably, the museum offers a respite from the heat with its air-conditioned premises, an English guidebook, and an exquisite inner courtyard, all at reasonable prices.

Tip:
If you bring a picnic, the museum grounds provide an enchanting setting to savor your meal and immerse yourself in the ambiance of the surroundings.