Doge's Palace, St Mark's Square, Venice

Doge’s Palace

Venice, Italy

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of the main landmarks in Venice

Activity

Take a tour around the facsinating palace of the Doges of Venice

History

The Palazzo Ducale was the residence of the Doge of Venice who was the supreme authority of the former Republic and the Palace was the heart of the political life and public administration in Venice.

The Palace was built in 1340 and was extended and modified in the following centuries. The Doge’s Palace is divided up into a number of areas: Courtyard, Museo dell’Opera, Doge’s apartments, Institutional chambers, Old Prison, Bridge of Sighs and the New Prisons.

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THINGS TO SEE

At The Doge’s Palace

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Foscari Arch and Scala dei Giganti

The main entrance leads directly into the Scala dei Giganti or Stairs of the Giants through the Foscari Arch.

The arch and staircase were designed by Antonio Rizzo during the late 15th century. The stairs lead up to the state apartmentsand it is here where the Doges were crowned (and where one was beheaded!),.

On each side of the staircase are two statues, one of Mars and one of Neptune. These symbolised the power of Venice by land and sea. They were designed by Tuscan artist, Jacopo Sansovino.

Image: Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Scala D’Oro (Stairs of Gold)

Designed by Sansovino during the 16th century. The stairs are painted in 24 carat gold. The stairs are lined in oil paintings and sculpted figures creating an impressive regal entrance.

Image: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sala del Collegio (Cabinet Room)

This is where the Doge had meetings with important visitors. An impressive room with paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto including one showing victory over the Turks during the battle of Lepanto. Other rooms on this floor also have their own art and sculptures worth seeing.

Sala del Maggior Cinsiglio

Sala del Maggior Cinsiglio (Hall of the Great Council). This is the great hall where the Great Council would meet. It was destroyed by fire in 1577 but rebuilt (with lavish details) between 1578 and 1594. The guilded ceiling and panels depict the glories of the Venetian Republic by Tintoretto, Veronese and more.

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Bridge Of Sighs

The Doge’s apartments, Bridge of Sighs and prisons are worth seeing – especially crossing the Bridge of Sighs.

This view – the prisoners’ view from the Bridge of Sighs as they made their way to the prison cells.

Image: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

ADMISSION

Admission to the Doge’s Palace costs from €25.00 (booked in advance). There are many options in buying tickets. However, to make the most of your time, a guided tour is recommended.

Skip the line tours, private tours and the after hours tours can often be a great way to avoid waiting a long time to enter the Doge’s Palace while giving you access to parts you may not otherwise be able to view (see below or the tours and tickets page).

Highest rated guided tours include: Secret Itineraries of Doge’s Palace VIP Tour and the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Private Tour