Venicela serenissima

Napoleon called Piazza San Marco the world’s most beautiful drawing room—kind words from a conquerer. Standing in the middle of it, it’s hard not to wonder what some of the stately buildings are like on the inside, but thankfully you needn’t dwell on it for long, because the Museo Correr, the city museum of Venice, is located in the heart of the action. Entrance is via the monumental marble staircase of the Ala Napoleonica (Napoleon Wing), at the far west end of the piazza. You’ll find art and artifacts from Venice’s glory days in exhibits that trail along the south side of the building on the upper floors. There are changing contemporary exhibits, too, featuring works by such art-world bold-faced names as Julian Schnabel.