An Islamic Louvre Planned for Palace Along Venice’s Canals

THE DAILY BEAST
By Barbie Latza Nadeau

ISLAM---Now Venetians are struggling once again with their history thanks to the prospect of a new museum dedicated to Islamic art, slated to fill one of the empty 19th-century palaces next to the Rialto bridge on the city’s famous Grand Canal. The museum was the brainchild of former Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who agreed to make “a commitment to explore the opportunity to build an Islamic museum in Venice" on a recent visit to Qatar. Italy has 1.2 million Muslim residents and 20,000 Italians who have converted to Islam from Catholicism. But Venetians are torn between whether they want a museum dedicated to Islamic art and culture in the city known best for its Catholic carnivale traditions. [link]