Doge's Palace
Palazzo Ducale
The official residence and seat of government of the Venetian Republic, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. Inside are Tintoretto's enormous painting 'Paradise' and the Bridge of Sighs leading to the prison.
The Doge's Palace was the power center of the Venetian Republic from 697 to 1797. It served as the residence of the Doge, the Senate, the Great Council, and the courts. Most of the surviving building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, with pink and white diamond-patterned brickwork set atop slender Gothic arcades, a representative example of Venetian Gothic style.
The route: enter the courtyard through the Porta della Carta and see the Giants' Staircase (statues of Mars and Neptune, where Doges were crowned). Climb the Golden Staircase and visit, in order, the Doge's apartments, the Four Doors Hall, the Senate chamber, and the Council of Ten chamber (with the 'Lion's Mouth' where anonymous denunciation letters were dropped). The highlight is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Great Council Hall), 53 meters long and without a single column. Its walls feature Tintoretto's 22 by 7 meter 'Paradise,' one of the largest canvas oil paintings in the world, along with portraits of 76 Doges. The portrait of the traitorous Doge Marino Faliero is covered with black cloth. Finally, cross the Bridge of Sighs into the New Prison. Looking out through the stone windows of the bridge gives the view that prisoners saw on their last journey.
Tickets: the combined museum pass for St. Mark's Square costs 30 euros (includes the Correr Museum and others, book online). The 'Secret Itineraries' guided tour (about 32 euros, including Casanova's lead-lined escape cell and the interrogation rooms) is well worth booking.
Opening hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (until 6:00 p.m. from November to March), with last entry one hour before closing. Getting there: water bus stops at San Zaccaria or San Marco.
Note: Booking a timed entry online lets you skip the queue. Photography inside is allowed but flash is prohibited. The visit takes about 2 hours, and you can sit down to rest in the Great Council Hall. Backpacks must be stored.
Opening hours
09:00–19:00 (until 18:00 Nov–Mar); last entry 1 hour earlier
Nearby sights
- Bridge of Sighs
- St. Mark's Square & Basilica
- St Mark's Campanile
- St Mark's Clocktower
- Museo Correr
- Libreria Acqua Alta
- Punta della Dogana
- Santi Giovanni e Paolo