Visit the Mocenigo Museum, housed within a patrician residence in Venice's San Stae district, showcasing valuable eighteenth-century furnishings and paintings. The palazzo serves as home to the Centro Studi di Storia del Tessuto e del Costume (Centre for the Study of the History of Textiles and Clothing)and houses collections from diverse sources. You'll discover rare textiles and garments, including original, sumptuous eighteenth-century dresses of historical importance.
The displayed clothing and accessories, predominantly of Venetian origin, feature textured fabrics often embellished with intricate embroidery and lace. These items stand as testament to the remarkable skills of Venice's artisans—including weavers, tailors, lace-makers and embroiderers—who contributed to creating the refined and luxurious elegance for which Venetians were renowned throughout Europe.
The museum's core collection is preserved in the tessilteca (textile library), a specialised storage facility designed for the conservation of these delicate historical textiles. Additionally, the museum houses a notable specialist library available for scholarly research.
