Turkish Commercial Hall - Natural History Museum Fontego dei Turchi - Museo civico di storia naturale Turkish Commercial Hall is located on the south bank of the northernmost section of the Grand Canal and is a Veneto-Byzantine-style palace. It was formerly the mansion of a medieval marquis, and then became a warehouse and slum for Turks from the early 17th century to 1838, and the building gradually collapsed. The current business building was restored in 1860-1880, retaining the original style and adding iconic towers on both sides. The Natural History Museum was opened in 1923. It is a 20-minute walk from the train station.