Turin, Italy – Accorsi Ometto Museum

Museo Accorsi Ometto

In Turin, on via Po and not far from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, is the obscure and easily missed Museo Accorsi Ometto, or the Accorsi Ometto Museum. Actually, when we first arrived in 2019 we had wanted to go, but then it closed suddenly due to Covid. It has now reopened, probably along with surge in tourists we have seen in Turin.

Tickets For Two – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The Entrance and Ticket Office

Though not entirely nondescript, the museum might be easy to walk passed if you are not paying attention. Though now they have several placards outside indicating that something interesting might be going on inside.

via Po Entrance – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Courtyard – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Courtyard and Mole in the distance – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Portico wall – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Entrance and ticket office – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Portico ceiling – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The Museum

The museum actually serves a dual purpose, the building is itself an attraction and the house loaned exhibits from time to time. Therefore, for your entrance fee, you actually get two museums in one.

Entrance and stairwell – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

First floor entrance – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The museum’s current attraction are Works from Venice from the eighteenth century and is called the Museum of Decorative Art. They actually have a very good online introduction and additional information about tickets. We found it easy enough just to walk in.

First room – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Large paintings – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Giovanni Bonazza, The adoration of the Magi, 1729 – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Ornate library and office space – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Artwork in pencil and ink – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Artwork of Venice – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

One thing we did find, the QR codes on most of the exhibits did not work. At least using my phone scanner, I was unable to load anything, so you may have to tour the exhibits without this luxury, though we found many exhibits were already translated.

Antonio Vivaldi from Bologna – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Gabriele Bella, Venetian public carnival – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Michele Marieschi, Piazza San Marco – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Michele Marieschi, Rialto bridge in Venice – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Miessen clock and other ornate furniture, 1760s – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Ships in harbor, Venice – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The exhibit begins with many works of Venetian art, without much in the rooms themselves to see. However, in the latter rooms, both the works of art and the rooms themselves are explained in detail and exhibit some of the finer Piedmont style furnishings and cabinetry.

First Cignaroli room, Artwork of Giuseppe Zais, 1760 – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Venetian bedroom, 1760s – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Ornate Venetian dressing room – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Pietro Accorsi’s bedroom, mid 18th century – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Louis XV Drawing room – Giovanni Bonazza, Busts of Bacco, Arianna, Eraclito and Democrito, 1710 – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Bandera bedroom – Piedmont embroidery using a honeycomb stitch in polychrome wool and cotton – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Interesting model or diorama – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Ornate work in porcelain – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Francesco Bertos, Allegory of the Aria of the four seasons, marble – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Piffetti Salon, late Piedmont Baroque style and masterpieces – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Jacques Birckle desk – Piffetti Salon, late Piedmont Baroque style and masterpieces – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Louis XVI Salon – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Giuseppe Monlinari, Mandolins, 1759 and 1780 – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Erard forte-piano, Music room – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The Buffet room without lighting, Tavole Imbandite – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

The Buffet room with lighting, Tavole Imbandite – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Chinese porcelain figurines, Buffet room – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Finally, there are a few rooms with smaller artifacts in exhibits or porcelain and other expensive materials. Most of these appear to have been decorative, but some actually served useful purposes.

Porcelain figurine collection – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Fine china collection – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Ornate porcelain and other collections – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Interesting candle lit Venetian scene painted on china – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

That concludes our visit to one of the smaller museums in Turin. In many ways we found it better designed than some of the larger museums we have been to in the area. The entrance fee is around 12€/person and discounts are available for older adults and children. Here are some last pieces and rooms of note, enjoy!

Religious wall hangings – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

A Child’s bureau, “Mazzarin”, Piedmontese cabinet-maker, 1705 – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Side gallery with religious artifacts – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Kitchen with copper molds and ware – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

Venetian Dress – Accorsi Ometto Museum – Turin, Italy

19 July, 202019 July, 2020

Venice – Without Tourists – Part Three

This last part, includes some of the additional things we were able to enjoy while in Venice, especially good places to dine. We found it takes about a week to get a really good feel for Venice. We also think it’s especially true that you have not really seen Venice until you have visited the other islands, as well as other out-of-the-way places around Venice proper.

Other Interesting Sights

For those that love architecture you will want to see the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Corte Contarina in San Marco. A bit of a challeng to find, but when you get close enough, there are signs pointing the way. They of course use Scala not Palazzo, for stairs, so do not let that confuse you!

Sign to Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, del Bovolo

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, del Bovolo, Corte Contarina

Another great sight is the tiniest alleyway in Venice. Called Calle Varisco, or sometimes Calletta Varisco (incorrectly mind you). It is a fairly narrow passage that goes nowhere, or more precisely, a canal of all things. But there are others in and around Venice, that are likewise very narrow, for example the Calle de la Raffineria.

There are also several impressive 24-hour clocks that are in and around Venice. Though not terribly easy to find, with some research and a flexible itinerary, they make wonderful sights to see.

Restaurants

We ate at many good and one fine restaurants while in Venice, here is our take on each.

Bistrot de Venise

Probably some of the finest dining in Venice, the Bistrot de Venise has a menu and winelist that rate high on our list. A bit pricey, but if you can afford it and go with the flow, that is, let them do their job, you will not be disappointed.

Ristorante Antica Sacrestia

Another jewel in the crown of Venice is the Ristorante Antica Sacrestia. Rather humble from the outside, the inside is a nice little courtyard with stone, well shaded from the midday sun. Perfect for the lunchtime replenishment.

Ristorante Antica Sacrestia Courtyard With Awards

Osteria la Zucca

Osteria la Zucca con Cucina is a very nice place for true Venetian cuisine. If you are looking for some home-cooked Italian food, this is you place. I can speak from experience, the Mousakka is great, as is the house wine.

Osteria la Zucca – Patti Waiting For Lunch

Ristorante Rosa Rossa

Ristorante Rosa Rossa on Calle de la Mandola, is a restaurant and pizzeria and is great for families, small gatherings and couples, with plenty of outside seating. Their pizza is delicious and large enough for two to share, when accompanied with salad and drinks.

Cicchetti Arciccchetti Bakaro

Last but not least, if you are in Venice, you have to visit a cicchetti. While walking around, you might see signs about cicchetti this and cicchetti that, but it’s usually simple street food served at a bar. Normally, there is a selection which you may pick and choose from, along with assorted drinks that can be ordered at the same. We stopped here while just out for a long walk. The Deli bites were one for a Euro and drinks were as usual, pretty inexpensive.

Cicchetti Arciccchetti Bakaro – Drinks And Deli Food

Conclusion

As opposed to our last whirlwind tour of Venice, this trip was a totally different and a more enjoyable experience. Not only the lack of tourists has helped my own opinion of Venice, but also the Summer heat has cooperated and our length of stay was what we would call minimal (one week). There is plenty to see for sure. If the factors are conducive and you are able to spend more than a week, I would, just to get a better overall feel for Venice. However, the amount of tourism they let come back, will dictate whether or not Venice will feel like a place you would want to stay longer than a week. That remains to be seen.

Our next stop takes us to Austria, so stay tuned for our adventures and insights there; until then, Ciao!

15 July, 2020

Venice – Without Tourists – Part One

Arriving over the weekend with the expectation of finding few, if any tourist in Venice, we were pleasantly surprised. Apparently, we have beaten the rush to see some remarkable tourist spots, without all the international hords.

Venezia_TrainStation — Venice Train Station – Platforms Empty

Hotel NH Collection Venezia Palazzo Barocci

We chose this four star hotel for its location to the Grand Canal and a pier for the Vaporettos, or ferries, that connect all of the islands together. We were not disappointed, it definitely has all the access we were looking for along with other comforts, amenities and conveniences we wanted, plus it’s very quiet.

Piazza San Marco

Usually abuzz with activity, this square or piazza is usually crowded during this time of year, with countless tourists. We have been fortunate to be here at this time, while the rest of the world struggles with how to cope with their outbreaks.

Santa Maria della Salute

One of the four plague basilicas in Venice, the Santa Maria della Salute, contains a rare Black Madonna. The altar is especially grand.

The view from the end of the island, just down from Santa Maria, is amazing.

Venezia_18 — Panoramic View of Part of the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco

Caffè Florian

Established in 1720, Cafe Florian is arguably the oldest cafe in the world. It was amazing to sit and enjoy a drink in an establishment, that frankly is older than my own country.

Pastor Saverio Le Forcole

The old art of carving and developing individual forcole for Venetian gondola rowers goes way back and is passed down from master to apprentice after a lengthy teaching process. Pastor Saverio is one of four masters still performing his art on the island.

Inside the workshop – other items done by other craftsmen

If you are ever in Venice you should look him up. He speaks English and is willing to talk to anyone who has questions about his art and how it is used. You can probably spend hours doing just that, but he does have to work, so keep that in mind.

Okay, enough for now, we are here for the entire week and will probably post more once we get a few moments of down time. Next stops are the other islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.