The Marciana Library initiated its collection in 1468 when Cardinal Bessarione donated his collection of 750 codes. In 1537 Jacopo Sansovino designed the building to keep the library collection, mixing the Renassaince and the Venetian styles.

The Hall, originally created for the University, was transformed in 1591 to 1595 by Vicenzo Scamozzi to host the Museo Statuario della Repubblica, with more than 200 marbles of the Grimani's and Contarini's collections, donated to Venice by the end of the 16th Century.

The Marcian Library has now almost 1 milion volumes, including 13000 manuscripts, and a rich colletion of books about greek culture and Venice history.