The MART (Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Trento e Rovereto) is the best modern art museum between Venice and Munich — and possibly the best in Italy for the Italian avant-garde. Designed by Mario Botta (2002), the building is anchored by a spectacular circular piazza covered by a glass-and-steel dome 40 meters in diameter that lets the Trentino sky become part of the architecture. Inside: the most important collection of Italian Futurism in the world (Balla, Boccioni, Depero, Severini, Sant'Elia), plus Arte Povera, Transavanguardia, and international contemporary art. The satellite venue — Casa d'Arte Futurista Depero, 5 minutes away — is the only Futurist museum created by a Futurist artist. Trentino guide →
Plan my Trentino trip →Italian Futurism (the world's largest collection): Boccioni's studies for "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" (the sculpture on the Italian 20-cent coin), Balla's speed and light paintings, Depero's advertising and design works, Sant'Elia's visionary architecture drawings (cities of towers and elevated walkways from 1914 that look like they were drawn yesterday). Depero is the MART's special strength — his bold graphic design, tapestries, and total-art philosophy are displayed both here and in his own museum. Arte Povera: Pistoletto, Merz, Kounellis, Penone. Transavanguardia: Chia, Clemente, Cucchi. International: rotating exhibitions that bring major international shows to northern Italy.
Fortunato Depero (1892-1960) designed this building himself in 1957 — the only museum conceived, designed, and organized by a Futurist artist. His mosaic panels, tapestries, furniture, and advertising designs (including the iconic Campari Soda bottle, which he designed in 1932 and which is still in production unchanged) fill the space. €7 or included in MART combo ticket.
Address: Corso Bettini 43, Rovereto (Trentino). Tickets: €11 MART, €7 Casa Depero, combo €14. Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (Fri until 9pm). Closed Mondays. Getting there: Rovereto station (Brenner line — 30min from Trento, 1.5h from Verona, 2h from Venice by Frecciarossa). Museum is 10min walk from station. Duration: 2 hours MART + 45min Casa Depero. Combine with: MUSE Trento (30min), Rovereto War Museum (Castello, WWI history), Dolomites (1h by car), Lake Garda (30min).