The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is one of the top attractions in Venice where you can easily spend many hours wondering around surrounded by the Gothic splendour. Centrally located on the Piazza San Marco, the palace was the seat of the Venetian Republic’s government and the Doge’s residence for many centuries.
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| Palazzo Ducale |
The current building was constructed in the 14 -15th centuries and became a museum in 1923. The Doge’s Palace with its lavish interior décor, vast halls and priceless artworks by Venetian masters attract over a million visitors every year.
Before entering the palace, linger outside admiring its exterior with Istrian marble columns, arching windows, elaborate pink Verona marble patterns.
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| Scala dei Giganti |
Scala dei Giganti, the impressive staircase flanked by statues of the gods Mars and Neptune leads to the main floor in the palace. The Chamber of the Great Council, built in the 14th century was where the lower house of the Venetian Parliament gathered. Measuring 53 meters in length and 25 meters in width, this is the largest room in the Doge’s Palace. The room could accommodate up to 1800 citizens entitled to vote. Here you can see Paradise by Tintoretto, the world’s largest oil painting, reaching twenty-two metres in length. The ceiling was painted by another Venetian master, Veronese.
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| The Council Chamber |
On the second floor is the Council Chamber, one of the most spectacular chambers in the palace. Here the Doge received the most important state visitors. Here you can spend a long time admiring the ceiling painted by Veronese as well as his stunning depiction of the Battle of Lepanto above the tribune and works by Tintoretto. The museum itinerary also includes the Doge’s apartments with exquisite painted ceilings, ornate fireplaces and paintings by Titian and Giovanni Bellini.
On a private tour you can also visit the underground dimly lit prison (“pozzi”) and see the cell where the infamous Casanova was kept captive and from which he eventually escaped.
On a private tour you can also visit the underground dimly lit prison (“pozzi”) and see the cell where the infamous Casanova was kept captive and from which he eventually escaped.
Photos via Flickr by: Isabel Moguer, Kars Alfrink, Andrew Stawarz.
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