The Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace is one of Venice's most iconic landmarks. Located near Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal,, this Gothic architectural masterpiece incorporates Byzantine and Renaissance architectural elements.

It was also once called the Ducal Palace as it served as the residence of the Doge. Nowadays, it is visited by millions of tourists every year.

In the 9th century, the Doge's Palace was a fortified castle that was used as a prison.

Visiting the Doge's Palace

The Golden Staircase leading to the second floor takes visitors to the Doge's rooms, which are adorned with extraordinary works of art illustrating the history of Venice, created by artists such as Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto.

Next, you will visit the Hall of the Great Council, one of the largest assembly halls in Europe. This hall used to host meetings of the most important members of the Republic.
Inside, you will find Tintoretto's masterpiece, Paradise, which is one of the largest oil paintings on canvas in the world.

The final two areas to explore are the Armoury, which displays various armour and weapons, and the Prisons, which are a labyrinthine complex of dark rooms and narrow corridors.

To access the prisons, you must cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. This bridge got its name from the condemned prisoners who sighed as they looked out of the prison windows at the lagoon for the last time.

Inside the Doge's Palace, you will also find the Mouths of Truth, containers shaped like animal heads, which were used in the past to collect secret denunciations for the magistrates in the past.

To make your visit even more enriching and to discover more about the history of the Republic of Venice, we recommend joining a guided tour or using an audio guide.