The Napoleonic Powder Magazines of Barbaro

The two Napoleonic powder magazines in Contrada Garzoni and Contrada Foscarini were built at the beginning of the 19th century as ammunition depots.

Today, these atmospheric spaces, surrounded by the greenery of the bastions, have been transformed into venues for exhibitions and cultural events.

A unique opportunity to experience how military history has been turned into beauty within the heart of the UNESCO star-shaped city.

Characterised by imposing barrel vaults, ventilation slits and strong stone masonry walls, the powder magazines offer a remarkable insight into Napoleonic military engineering.

Visiting them reveals the perfect balance between their original defensive purpose and their new cultural role.

A third Napoleonic powder magazine also exists in Contrada Barbaro and is currently awaiting restoration and redevelopment.

There are three Napoleonic powder magazines: one in Contrada Garzoni, one in Contrada Foscarini and one in Contrada Barbaro.

The Napoleonic powder magazines were commissioned by Napoleon in the early 19th century as ammunition storage.

They replaced the previous Venetian building, circular in plan with a domed roof that had by then become obsolete and impractical.

For the new building, the French used squared stone from Medea and built a protective perimeter wall.

Inside, a single hall covered by a barrel vault was divided by a floor and beams: the drier upper level was used for gunpowder, the lower one for storage.

Ventilation slits are present along the walls.

Today, the Napoleonic powder magazines of Contrada Garzoni and Contrada Foscarini have been converted into spaces for cultural events such as exhibitions and conferences.

Accessible for visitors with motor, sensory, intellectual and psychological disabilities.