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This magnificent museum is located on St. Mark's Square in the two long buildings which run the length of the square – the Procuratorie Nuove and the Napoleonic Wing. These arcaded buildings functioned as the home and offices of pivotal political figures in the Venetian Republic. A visit to the museum begins in the Neo-classical Napoleonic Wing along St. Mark's Square which dates back to the Kingdom of Italy (1806-1814). The building has a rich history having been the Venetian Royal Palace of the French, the official residence of the Austrian Hapsburg Court and later the Italians in 1866. The building was designed by Giovanni Antonio Antolini, Giuseppe Soli and Lorenzo Santi. It has a double façade, sweeping staircases and a richly decorated ball room. Santi painted the ceiling fresco of the main staircase and Giuseppe Borsato was responsible for the interior design. The atmosphere and furnishings of the original residence have been maintained, forming a perfect backdrop to the art on display.
Part of the collection is housed on the upper floors of the Procuratorie Nuove, designed by V. Scamozzi at the end of the 16th century the halls of this building were used for the Venetian magistrates. The collection has been housed in several locations over the years, finally arriving at its present location in 1922.
The museum collections originated from the private collection of Teodoro Correr donated to the city in 1830 and over the years other artifacts have been acquired. The museum exhibits focus on the art of Venice and the history of the city. Works by Antonio Canova are shown in the 9 rooms of the Napoleonic Wing which were once the Imperial Apartments of the Royal Palace. In the Procuratorie Nuove you can see documents from the civil and public life of Venice. Wunderkammer is the latest addition to the museum (2013), this collection of wonders has 300 artifacts, paintings and rarities from Venetian civic life. In the same building is a collection of Venetian art work from the early days of the city and up until the 16th century. Here there are works by Paolo Veneziano, Lorenzo Veneziano, Gothic art work, Cosme Tura, work by the artists of the Ferrara School, work by famous Flemish and German masters, Antonello da Messina, Bellini, Alvise Vivarini and Vittore Carpaccio.
source: http://www.visitacity.com/en/venice/attractions/museo-correr
