FAI - Negozio Olivetti
FAI - Negozio Olivetti
4
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
FAI Negozio Olivetti is the Monument of FAI - The National Trust for Italy, the property of Assicurazioni Generali, reopen to public since 2011, after a careful conservative restoration of 2010. In the center of Venezia in San Marco Square, the Negozio Olivetti was the Olivetti showroom - the famous and iconic brand of typewriters. This little masterpiece of 20th century architecture is an example of the elegant intelligence of the great architect Carlo Scarpa.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
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Neighbourhood: San Marco
The most famous sestiere (district) in Venice has one of the world's most famous squares, St. Mark's (Piazza San Marco). Anchored on one end by the basilica, clustered around it are restaurants, museums, shops, orchestras playing in the square, pigeons, the grand pink Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the soaring campanile bell tower, an astrological clock tower, plus gorgeous cafes and restaurants like Florian and Quadri. Piazza San Marco is beloved by Venetians themselves. They book a table anytime, which offers a buffer from the fray. This grand outdoor drawing room attracts Venetians for a stroll too, especially late in the afternoon when the hoards of daytrippers thin out. It's simply a grand place to meet.
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4.0
135 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
39
Average
21
Poor
8
Terrible
10
rebecca m
Hatfield, UK686 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
5 euro entrance fee plus 3 euro for taking photos or doing sketches for visitors who were over 25 years old. ridiculous for such a small shop. although it was a master piece by Carlo Scarpa, it was still not worth such price. the extra cost for taking photos were just too much. would go to Foundation Querini Stampalia instead.
Written 18 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoundsLikeDesign
Perth, Australia38 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
When I first tried to visit, Acqua Alta blocked access to the front door. Later, I was told they open the side door if the water is high, so it's worth seeking out the second entrance if you can't access the main one off Piazza San Marco. This is another Scarpa gem - it's small but beautifully formed and detailed, well worth a look for architecture lovers, amidst the glitz and the bling of the square outside. The window treatments upstairs are particularly beautiful in Scarpa's typical understated manner.
Written 14 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amimatt
Mumbai, India32 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
It's a small showroom in the San Marco Piazza and is a must to see for anyone who loves Carlos Scarpa !! The interior detailing in terms of the flooring, the doors, handles, staircase, column-beam junctions are all extremely fascinating and thoughtfully designed.
I remember going on tripadvisor and seeing the reviews where some have complained about the exhibition and the type writers not being interesting or the whole showroom being small etcetc.
But what you really have to understand and keep in mind if you choose to visit this place, is that it has less to do with what's showcased in the showroom and more (if not completely) to do with experiencing the space - in terms of the scale, proportion and amount of detailing that Scarpa has put into it.
As architects we have read so many books on Scarpa's extraordinary works and seeing this space in person, just adds to the experience.
The showroom does require an entry ticket of 8 Euros for Adults and 5 Euros for Students (if students, be sure to carry your id).
I remember going on tripadvisor and seeing the reviews where some have complained about the exhibition and the type writers not being interesting or the whole showroom being small etcetc.
But what you really have to understand and keep in mind if you choose to visit this place, is that it has less to do with what's showcased in the showroom and more (if not completely) to do with experiencing the space - in terms of the scale, proportion and amount of detailing that Scarpa has put into it.
As architects we have read so many books on Scarpa's extraordinary works and seeing this space in person, just adds to the experience.
The showroom does require an entry ticket of 8 Euros for Adults and 5 Euros for Students (if students, be sure to carry your id).
Written 27 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
park3937
London, UK12 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
I was keen to see the Olivetti Showroom on a recent trip to Venice especially having read an article saying although most people don't bother to visit it, it is well worth a visit.
Sorry, it is not, even fans of architecture would be hard pressed to find a wooden screen, a stone wall and a flight of stairs exciting even if they were designed by Carlo Scarpa. Probably the best thing about the showroom is the 1960s Olivetti sign outside. The charge is 5 euros taken by whoever mans the desk on the left hand side of the large room as you enter. You are directed to a small vestibule where there is a wooden screen with squares cut out of it and a radiator. You then proceed up the stairs to look at a wall and turn right along a very short corridor where a shelf runs the length of the wall with 2 typewriters on it as a nod to what company used to occupy the space. The small corridor leads to a roped off area which I was astounded to see was the ordinary office with a computer and files used by whoever runs this place. When I asked politely if that was all there was to see, the lady who took the money got very cross and said that I didn't understand it was architecture and any architect would be very upset if they knew it was not appreciated. She also said what did I expect it is not a typewriter museum. Not sure what that meant as I never assume it was a typewriter museum but did expect a little more to see than there is on offer. It could not in any way be classed an architectural gem.
It was a great disappointment and everything there is to see is shown on the photos attached to this review section. A waste of time and money, there are much better things to see in Venice, do not waste 5 euros on this, in fact they should pay visitors 5 euros to go in there. It takes less than 10 minutes even if you take some time to study the stone wall and screen. In fact it took more time for the lady to find some change when I paid than it did to walk round this completely pointless attraction.
Sorry, it is not, even fans of architecture would be hard pressed to find a wooden screen, a stone wall and a flight of stairs exciting even if they were designed by Carlo Scarpa. Probably the best thing about the showroom is the 1960s Olivetti sign outside. The charge is 5 euros taken by whoever mans the desk on the left hand side of the large room as you enter. You are directed to a small vestibule where there is a wooden screen with squares cut out of it and a radiator. You then proceed up the stairs to look at a wall and turn right along a very short corridor where a shelf runs the length of the wall with 2 typewriters on it as a nod to what company used to occupy the space. The small corridor leads to a roped off area which I was astounded to see was the ordinary office with a computer and files used by whoever runs this place. When I asked politely if that was all there was to see, the lady who took the money got very cross and said that I didn't understand it was architecture and any architect would be very upset if they knew it was not appreciated. She also said what did I expect it is not a typewriter museum. Not sure what that meant as I never assume it was a typewriter museum but did expect a little more to see than there is on offer. It could not in any way be classed an architectural gem.
It was a great disappointment and everything there is to see is shown on the photos attached to this review section. A waste of time and money, there are much better things to see in Venice, do not waste 5 euros on this, in fact they should pay visitors 5 euros to go in there. It takes less than 10 minutes even if you take some time to study the stone wall and screen. In fact it took more time for the lady to find some change when I paid than it did to walk round this completely pointless attraction.
Written 3 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paledot
Zurich, Switzerland34 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
The great interior designed by calro scarp is just amazing to see. it is just very small showroom and not much too see except the architectural detail. i prefer, a bit moderate entrance fee, then i could buy like a postcard or his architectural book. the location is very busy with tourist. it is worth being inside, but the entrance fee with camera for 8 euro is far too much in such a small exhibition space. 3 euro would do in other places. it happens only in venice, because of too many tourist around.
Written 22 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cameranny44
Amsterdam, The Netherlands142 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
The Olivetti showroom is a big surprise. The shop, designed by the architect Carlo Scarpa, is together with the typewriter collection an monumental italian heritage.
Written 17 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calre
2 contributions
I'm sure it's on every designers list of Scarpa sites to see in Venice but it does not disappoint. You do have to pay to take photos but its worth it.
Written 2 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Melbourne, Australia1,160 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
What a magical treatment to a confined space with lots of exquisite detailing throughout whether steps, windows, display shelves, wherever one looks Scarpa’s genius shines through. How lucky Italy is to have an organisation dedicated to protecting this and other heritage sites. What a contrast to the busy places around about it!
Written 17 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear 855JohnP855, thank you for taking time to share here your beautiful observations and your kind words.
FAI Negozio Olivetti is the Monument of FAI - The National Trust for Italy and we are deeply grateful you have appreciated seeing the space. You are right, FAI is managing this space and keeping it open to public during the year, while in January - February we host the annual ordinary or extraordinary maintenance and restorations operations, so that the architecture and special details would be preserved for ever. In fact, there are numerous artisans and different professionals involved.
Shall you have the interest, please feel welcomed also in another FAI Properties, for instance in FAI Memoriale Brion, always in Veneto Region, or if you enjoy the 900' Italian architecture, as well FAI Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan (Lombardy).
Kind regards and see you soon in Venice
FAI Negozio Olivetti
Written 16 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yee-Ming T
Taipei, Taiwan79 contributions
Oct 2016
When I went, there was an exhibition showcasing Olivetti's influence on modern offices with their modular office furniture. But the main attraction is the building interior itself.
Written 14 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdriennePhilly
Philadelphia, PA141 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This is a great spot to witness the work of Carlos Scarpa. It's a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of San Marco and you can time travel into the mid-20th century. Elegant workmanship. A must for architecture students.
Written 16 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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