Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace was the seat of power of the Venetian Republic, a pink and white Gothic confection whose lace-like arcaded facade rises above the lagoon beside St Mark's. Within lie opulent halls hung with masterpieces by Tintoretto and Veronese, the chambers where the Republic was governed, and the Bridge of Sighs leading to the grim prisons.

Background

A palace for the doge was first planned in 810 under Doge Agnello Participazio, but nothing of that building survives. Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172-1178) ordered later rebuilding, and the Gothic palace seen today was begun around 1340, starting with the side facing the lagoon. In 1424 Doge Francesco Foscari had the work carried on to the wing over the Piazzetta, finished with the Porta della Carta in 1442. Fire broke out in 1483, again in 1574, and a third time in 1577, when it destroyed the Great Council Chamber and the Scrutinio Room with works by Giovanni Bellini, Titian and others. The building became a museum in 1923 and drew 1.4 million visitors in 2018.

Source: Wikipedia, "Doge's Palace"

What's there

• The Gothic facade - the pink lace-like frontage above the lagoon.
• The grand halls - the opulent council chambers hung with great paintings.
• The Bridge of Sighs - the enclosed bridge to the prisons.
• The prisons - the cells across the bridge, from which Casanova escaped.

When to go

Spring and autumn for milder weather; book a timed ticket ahead, as it is busy. The Secret Itineraries tour of the hidden passages and prisons is a highlight for those who book it.

Before you go

It is very popular, so book ahead and expect crowds in the grand halls. The Bridge of Sighs is glimpsed briefly from inside and mobbed from outside. The Secret Itineraries tour, booked separately, gives a richer, quieter experience.

Nearby

St Mark's Basilica and Square are alongside; the Grand Canal and Rialto are nearby.

Key facts