Procuratie Nuovissime (Newest Procuracies), Venice

Historic Building in Venice

Procuratie Nuovissime
Procuratie Nuovissime
CC BY-SA 1.0 / SIG SG 510

The Procuratie Nuovissime, also known as the Napoleonic Wing (Ala Napoleonica), is the building that closes the western end of Piazza San Marco like a theatrical backdrop. From the square, it reads as elegant symmetry and imperial order; from inside, it's where you feel how dramatically Venice's centre was reimagined after the fall of the Republic, with a new “royal” language layered onto the city's most iconic civic stage.

Because the Napoleonic Wing is integrated into the Museo Correr route, it slips neatly into a walking tour of Venice without demanding extra navigation or effort-and it's one of the things to see in Venice if you want to understand the Piazza as more than a photo stop. The experience is less about one single “wow” object and more about rooms, details, and atmosphere: the kind of visit that changes how you read St Mark's Square the next time you step back outside.

History and Significance of the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

The Napoleonic Wing was conceived during the French period (early 19th century), when Venice was pulled into a new political reality and Piazza San Marco was reshaped to suit an imperial idea of urban grandeur. The project helped turn the Piazza into something closer to a classical forum in feel-more unified, more monumental, and more explicitly “state” in its visual message.

This was also a symbolic transformation. Where the Venetian Republic once expressed power through its own institutions and rituals, the new regime needed architecture that projected a different legitimacy, and the Napoleonic Wing is part of that rebranding in stone and plaster. In practical terms, it was linked to royal and viceregal presence, and the square’s western side became a place of ceremonial representation rather than purely Venetian civic tradition.

Today, that layer of history is preserved through use rather than isolation: much of the Napoleonic Wing forms part of the Museo Correr, so you encounter it as a lived sequence of rooms within a broader story about Venice. It is a reminder that the Piazza is not one era frozen in time, but a place repeatedly edited by politics, taste, and power.

Things to See and Do in the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

The most satisfying way to experience the Napoleonic Wing is to treat it as an interior architecture visit, not just a corridor to the next gallery. Pay attention to how the rooms are staged: proportion, alignment, and decorative rhythm are doing as much “storytelling” as any label, especially when you look up and notice how ceilings and wall treatments guide your pace.

Look for the Empire-era mood that contrasts so sharply with the Gothic and Renaissance Venice many visitors expect. This is where you can feel the language of courts and capitals: more formal, more symmetrical, and designed to communicate order. Even if you're not usually “into interiors,” it lands because you're standing in the very building that visually completes the Piazza.

If you enjoy sculpture, keep an eye out for how neoclassical taste is presented in these spaces, particularly in the rooms where the aesthetic shifts toward polished restraint rather than Venetian exuberance. The rooms can also be a surprisingly good break from the Piazza crowds, because once you’re inside the museum route, the experience becomes calmer and more controlled.

Finally, do the simple thing that most people forget: step back outside afterward and reframe the square. The Napoleonic Wing is one of those places where the “before and after” matters-its real payoff is how it changes your understanding of what you're looking at in St Mark's Square.

How to Get to the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

The nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Treviso (TSF). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Venice on Booking.com. From either airport, aim for Venice via bus to Piazzale Roma or a direct transfer to the historic centre, then continue by vaporetto and on foot toward Piazza San Marco.

If you arrive by train, you’ll come into Venezia Santa Lucia, then take a vaporetto down the Grand Canal toward the San Marco area before walking into the Piazza. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. Walking the whole way is possible, but it’s slower and bridge-heavy if you’re carrying anything more than a daypack.

If you’re coming by bus, you will typically arrive at Piazzale Roma, where the simplest approach is vaporetto to a San Marco stop, then a short walk into the square.

If you are traveling by car, park at Piazzale Roma or on the mainland in Mestre and continue into Venice by public transport, as the historic centre is car-free. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

  • Entrance fee: Included with the St Mark's Square Museums ticket (Doge's Palace, Museo Correr, National Archaeological Museum, and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana Library).
  • Opening hours: (Summer) 1 April – 31 October; Daily: 10:00–18:00. (Winter) 1 November – 31 March; Daily: 10:00–17:00.
  • Official website: https://correr.visitmuve.it/en/home/
  • Best time to visit: Go early in the day for a quieter museum flow, or visit mid-afternoon when the Piazza outside is at its busiest and the contrast feels most rewarding.
  • How long to spend: Plan 60-90 minutes as part of the Museo Correr circuit, with extra time if you like lingering in decorated rooms and reading spaces visually rather than rushing labels.
  • Accessibility: The Piazza approach is generally straightforward, but crowds and uneven paving can be the main challenge; once inside, take the museum route at a steady pace and use rest points when needed.
  • Facilities: Treat it as a museum-based visit and plan cafés separately, since the immediate Piazza area is convenient but often crowded and expensive for longer breaks.

Where to Stay Close to the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself in San Marco or on the Castello edge for early access to the main sights; for easier arrivals and a slightly calmer base, stay in Cannaregio near Venezia Santa Lucia and use vaporetto connections.

If you want to be able to step into Piazza San Marco at quieter hours, Hotel Concordia is hard to beat for pure location. For a classic, comfortable central stay that still feels walkable to multiple neighborhoods, Hotel Saturnia & International is a reliable option. If you prefer a polished boutique feel near the corridor between San Marco and Rialto, Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione makes day planning effortless.

Is the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing) Worth Visiting?

Yes-if you're already doing the Museo Correr and you want the Piazza's story to feel three-dimensional rather than purely scenic. The Napoleonic Wing gives you an interior perspective on St Mark's Square that most visitors miss, and it adds a rare “post-Republic” layer to your mental map of Venice.

If your priority is only quick exterior highlights, you can appreciate the façade and move on. But if you like understanding how cities evolve through political change, this is one of the best places to visit in Venice for that specific kind of insight.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, the Napoleonic Wing works best as a short, structured portion of the wider museum visit: pick two rooms and play a simple “spot the symbols” game (eagles, crowns, formal motifs, repeating patterns) to keep attention active. It’s more engaging if kids feel like they’re decoding a place rather than being asked to quietly absorb it.

Plan a natural reset immediately afterward, because Piazza San Marco is stimulating in every direction. Doing the interior first and then letting kids run their energy down with an open-air wander toward the waterfront can make the whole experience smoother.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, this is a strong stop because it turns the Piazza from a spectacle into a setting with an inner life. The rooms have a calm, polished atmosphere that feels like stepping into another era, and it can be a surprisingly good “pause” in a day that otherwise runs on crowds and movement.

To keep the mood, pair it with a quiet route out of San Marco afterward-toward Castello lanes or the waterfront promenade-so the day alternates between grand stage and intimate Venice. The contrast is what makes it memorable.

Budget Travelers

Budget travelers should treat the Napoleonic Wing as value you're already paying for if you're entering the connected St Mark's Square museum route. It's a way to get a richer experience out of a central ticket without adding extra transport costs or extra planning.

To keep spending under control, do your “Piazza moment” for atmosphere, then step a few minutes into side streets for food and coffee. You’ll still get the San Marco experience, just without the premium pricing at every stop.

History Buffs

History buffs will enjoy this as a built document of regime change: it’s where you can see how architecture is used to signal legitimacy and how a republic’s ceremonial heart can be reframed for an imperial narrative. The best approach is to look for what feels intentionally “un-Venetian” in tone-more formal, more classical, more court-oriented-and ask why that mattered.

It's also a useful anchor for reading the three Procuratie as a sequence around the square. Once you understand the Napoleonic Wing, the Piazza's edges stop being “just buildings” and start reading as a timeline of Venice's power structures.

FAQs for Visiting Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

Getting There

It closes the west end of Piazza San Marco and forms part of the Museo Correr complex. If you are standing in the square facing the basilica, it’s the building opposite the church at the far end.
Head directly to Piazza San Marco, then approach via the arcades rather than cutting through the densest centre of the square. Once you’re in the Piazza, signage and entrances for the museum route make the final steps straightforward.
Take a vaporetto toward the San Marco area, then walk into Piazza San Marco for the museum entrance. This is usually faster and less tiring than walking the entire distance over bridges.
There is no parking in the historic centre, so driving only works if you park at Piazzale Roma or on the mainland and continue by boat. For a San Marco visit, planning around vaporetto stops is almost always the easiest approach.

Tickets & Entry

The façade and the whole Piazza setting are free to enjoy, and it’s worth slowing down outside to take in the symmetry. To go inside, you enter through the Museo Correr route, which requires a museum ticket.
You’re effectively visiting the Napoleonic Wing as part of the connected St Mark’s Square museum circuit. That means the experience is integrated, not a stand-alone “wing-only” entry.
If you are visiting in peak season or you have limited time in San Marco, booking ahead can reduce friction. If your schedule is flexible, you can often decide on the day and still manage well.
The most common issue is arriving with bulky bags after traveling, which can slow entry or require extra steps. Inside, treat the rooms as a museum environment with normal expectations around quiet, spacing, and respecting barriers.

Visiting Experience

A focused 20-30 minutes within the museum route is enough to appreciate the interiors and their imperial tone. If you enjoy decorative rooms, you’ll naturally want longer because the details reward a slower pace.
Yes if you are already doing Piazza San Marco and you want one indoor stop that adds context rather than just another view. It’s a smart way to make the square feel meaningful rather than purely crowded.
Pair it with a short loop that moves from the Piazza into quieter lanes, then down to the waterfront for open space. The “grand square to calm streets” shift makes the experience feel complete.
It’s excellent in bad weather because it gives you a substantial indoor experience right where you’d otherwise be enduring rain and crowds. On sunny days, it works best as a mid-day reset from the Piazza intensity.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many walking tours focus on the exterior narrative of Piazza San Marco rather than museum interiors. It’s easy to add independently before or after a guided Piazza walk.
Independent works well if you like moving at your own pace and focusing on rooms that catch your eye. A guided visit is most valuable if you want a deeper explanation of how Napoleonic-era planning reshaped the Piazza.
Visit the Museo Correr section that includes the Napoleonic Wing, then exit and drift toward Castello for calmer streets and a less crowded Venice feel. Finish with a waterfront walk for a change of scale and air.

Photography

Outside, it’s one of the best architectural backdrops in the Piazza, especially for symmetry and arcade rhythm. Inside, photography policies can vary, so treat images as a bonus rather than the purpose of the visit.
Early morning and early evening are best for softer light and fewer people in the frame. Midday can feel visually busy because the square fills quickly.
Restrictions may apply and can change by room, so follow on-site signage and avoid flash. If you’re unsure, prioritize exterior shots and enjoy the interiors without a camera agenda.
A strong view is from the centreline of the Piazza looking toward the Napoleonic Wing, capturing the “end-cap” effect. Another is along the arcades, using repeating arches to pull the eye into the frame.

Accessibility & Facilities

Reaching Piazza San Marco is generally manageable, but crowds and paving can be the main obstacles rather than distance. Using vaporetto routes that minimize bridge crossings makes the day noticeably easier.
Plan for facilities as part of the wider museum and San Marco area rather than relying on one specific spot. It’s smart to handle essentials before you enter, especially in peak season.
Inside, pacing room by room helps, and you can step outside afterward for a quick reset. Just off the Piazza, side lanes usually offer calmer places to pause than the square itself.
Yes, but timing matters because the Piazza approach can feel overwhelming when it’s busy. Go earlier, keep the interior portion focused, and build in an outdoor decompression route afterward.

Food & Breaks Nearby

For a calmer break, walk a few minutes off the Piazza into the San Marco side streets where the atmosphere eases. You’ll usually get a better balance of comfort and value with a very small detour.
Rialto makes a natural next leg if you want market energy and classic canal views afterwards. If you want something quieter, head into Castello for smaller bacari that feel more local.

Safety & Timing

Yes, and the Piazza can feel more spacious and atmospheric once day-trippers leave. Keep normal awareness of belongings, especially during peak crowd flow.
Early morning is best for calmer logistics and clearer views of the architecture. Later in the day works well if you want to pair the visit with an evening wander through quieter streets afterwards.

Nearby Attractions to the Procuratie Nuovissime (Napoleonic Wing)

  • St Mark's Basilica: Venice's iconic church, where mosaics and ritual atmosphere deliver instant impact even on a short visit.
  • Doge's Palace: A dramatic walk through Venice's political theatre, packed with grand rooms and power stories.
  • Museo Correr: The wider museum context for the Napoleonic Wing, tying rooms and objects into Venice's civic narrative.
  • Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana Monumental Rooms: A richly decorated cultural stop that pairs well with a San Marco museum circuit.
  • National Archaeological Museum of Venice: A quiet, sculpture-rich counterpoint to the Piazza crowds, ideal as a calm add-on nearby.

The Procuratie Nuovissime (Newest Procuracies) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Venice!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Summer) 1 April - 31 October; Daily: 10:00-18:00.

(Winter) 1 November - 31 March; Daily: 10:00-17:00.

Price:

Included with the St Mark’s Square Museums ticket (Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, National Archaeological Museum, and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana Library).

Address: S. Marco, 1105, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Venice: 0 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs