Mestre between Art, Piazza and Fortresses

Mestre between contemporary art and urban history

Mestre reveals its cultural side in several very different places. The MUVEC – Casa delle Contemporaneità presents art from 1948 to the present day. Since December 2024, ten artists have been in residence in the renovated former municipal newspaper and periodical library. They were selected through a public call for applications issued by the Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa. The Emeroteca dell’Arte in Mestre is also a venue for the production of contemporary art.

Piazza Ferretto and Forte Marghera

A different atmosphere awaits you at Piazza Erminio Ferretto. It is considered the heart of Mestre and is surrounded by historic buildings, boutiques, cafés and restaurants. For travellers who like to combine their stay with a clear cultural focus, the piazza forms a prominent reference point within the cityscape.

Forte Marghera is also steeped in history. The large fortress was built from the early 19th century onwards by French and Austrian armies. Forte Carpenedo and Forte Gazzera, both fortresses, are also located in the vicinity of Mestre.

Museums, islands and beach in the surrounding area

The area around Mestre also includes several islands: San Secondo, San Giorgio in Alga and Carbonera. These three places broaden the geographical perspective beyond urban Mestre, without belonging to the same category of place as the piazza or the fortresses. Anyone wishing to compare different landscapes and types of place will find island destinations in the surrounding area alongside the urban environment.

Further cultural destinations and a coastal connection round out the picture. The Museo Ebraico is a museum in the area around Mestre, as is the Scuola di San Rocco. Spiaggia Lungomare d'Annunzio is a beach in the area around Mestre.

Getting your bearings from Venezia-Mestre

To travel to the MUVEC, you can use Venezia-Mestre railway station as your point of reference. From there, the MUVEC can be reached by bus route 2. The stop is located beneath the Hotel Plaza; from there, the bus takes you to the ex Ospedale stop. You then continue on foot along Via Antonio da Mestre to Piazzale Candiani.

When choosing a hotel in Mestre, it is therefore worth considering the cultural focus you want for your stay: Piazza Erminio Ferretto, the MUVEC and the Emeroteca dell’Arte represent urban life and contemporary art, while Forte Marghera, Forte Carpenedo and Forte Gazzera provide historical highlights. Museums, islands and the beach in the surrounding area complement this selection with further themes for your personal travel planning.

More destinations

If you would like to combine Mestre with other places when planning your trip, you can find Tessera, Dese, Favaro Veneto, Trivignano, Giudecca, Marghera, Alberoni and Campalto here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Venice.