Imagine stepping into a time capsule. This is the Museo Casa Andrich, a unique gem on Torcello Island. It stands as Venice’s only house museum where you can truly feel the artistic energy of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.
The Casa Museo Andrich displays the works of Lucio and Clementina Andrich. You’ll discover how Torcello and the Venetian lagoon were formed while overlooking the shores of the garden.
Lucio Andrich was born in Agordo in 1927. He lost his father at a young age. As the eldest of a large family he managed the family haberdashery. He developed a passion for fabrics and colors. At 20, he received the Garibaldi Medal. He participated in the Garibaldi assault brigades during the liberation war against fascists and Germans.
During his recovery at the pneumological hospital of Sacca Sessola in Venice, he met his future wife Clementina De Luca. She encouraged him to continue his studies. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice.
Lucio was a versatile artist. He excelled as a painter, engraver and graphic designer. He also worked as a sculptor and designer for various artistic techniques. These ranged from mosaics to ceramics and glass to tapestries. He even created silk stratigraphies.
He taught mosaic at the Academy and figure drawing at the Art School of Venice. Lucio settled in Palazzo Carminati in Venice. Later he moved to Torcello Island. His home was once the sacristy of the ancient church of S. Tommaso dei Borgognoni. It later became the Vignagranda fort on the Palude della Rosa.
Since 2003, it has been the Casa Museo Andrich. Lucio’s grandson, Paolo Andrich dei Simionei, collected and curated the Andrich collection. He collaborated with designers worldwide. They evolved the perception of the collection.
The Museo Casa Andrich offers guided tours every day. You can visit at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. The tours are available in Italian, English, and French.
The museum presents art from the 1950s to the 1980s. It showcases silks, tapestries and glass. You’ll also find sculptures, paintings, engravings, mosaics and furniture. The exhibits rotate regularly.
Ernest Hemingway fished and hunted near here. He even wrote “Beyond the river through the trees” here. The Museo Casa Andrich offers a unique experience. It’s a blend of art, history and nature.