Palazzo Mocenigo – A Venetian Journey through Fragrance & Elegance

Venezia, Italy — Beauties, welcome to part two of our Venice journey. Today we’re taking you to one of the city’s most captivating experiences — where art, scent, and history meet in a breathtaking palace. Let’s begin our adventure at the Palazzo Mocenigo.

Address: Via Altinia 298/B, 30173 Venezia, Dese – Italy

The Merchant of Venice – Perfume & Heritage

With an exciting collaboration, we arrived in Venice to explore a place that blends culture and fragrance in perfect harmony. Since 2013, The Merchant of Venice — one of my absolute favorite perfume houses — has transformed this stunning 14th-century palazzo into a sensory museum unlike any other.

If you’re a perfume lover, this is a must-visit. The museum offers a deep dive into the art and history of fragrance, showcasing over 2,500 perfume bottles, some dating back to 2000 BC. You’ll also find hand-blown Murano glass containers used for distillation, ancient cosmetic manuscripts, and even the first book on cosmetics ever published in the Western world. And yes — visitors can test and smell selected scents throughout the exhibition.

The History – Palazzo Mocenigo

Behind the Church of San Stae and the Ca’ Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art lies the elegant Palazzo Mocenigo, built in the 17th century. Once home to the noble Venetian Mocenigo family — who produced seven Doges of Venice — this palace tells the story of a dynasty that shaped Venetian history and culture.

In 1945, the last heir of the Mocenigo family donated the palace to the city of Venice. It soon became a museum, preserved in its magnificent original state. Rich frescoes, silk-covered walls, Murano chandeliers, and antique furniture capture the grandeur of 18th-century Venice. Every room whispers stories of elegance, refinement, and luxury — an aesthetic that made Venice famous across the world.

The Perfume Museum – A Sensory Experience

The Perfume Museum inside Palazzo Mocenigo is a partnership between Mavive (the Venetian perfume house) and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia. Spread across six rooms, it presents the evolution of cosmetics and perfumery with rare instruments, original manuscripts, and multimedia displays.

Visitors embark on a multisensory journey through scent — combining tradition and technology. Among the treasures is the famous Storp Collection, one of the largest perfume bottle collections in the world. The museum also showcases “Secreti Nobilissimi dell’Arte Profumatoria” (1672) by Giambattista Rosetti — the world’s first book on perfume recipes and cosmetic arts.

There’s even a White Room for temporary exhibitions and a Perfume Lab, where visitors can learn about the creation of fragrances. This is not just a museum — it’s an immersion into the timeless art of scent.

Murano Glass & Fragrance Artistry

Among the museum’s highlights are exquisite Murano glass perfume bottles — handcrafted, delicate, and radiant. Each piece is a true work of art. The harmony of natural herbs, oriental spices, and Venetian design fills the air — engaging every sense.

If you’re visiting Venice, make sure to stop by the Palazzo Mocenigo. It’s an experience that connects the past, the senses, and the essence of Italian beauty.

with love,
xoxo Tanja