The idea of a Diocesan museum for sacred art was first conceived by cardinal Albino Luciani who would later become Pope John Paul I.
With the issuance of the patriarchal degree in 1976, this idea became a reality and the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art began its activity, putting on exhibit pieces of artwork that had either been removed from their original locations for safety reasons or in order to protect them from potentially harmful climatic conditions, or that had come from the numerous Venetian churches that by that time were no longer open for worship or that were undergoing restoration and were therefore closed to visitors.
An important part of the museum collection is represented by contemporary art which can be seen on exhibit inside the museum or in other places and city spaces that have been organized in association with the museum.
