DOGE S PALACE

How To Reach

Best Time To Visit

Other Essential Information

Credits:- Image from Pixabay

Location
Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Entry Fees
The entry to the palace is free for the visitors, holding the city pass. If the tourists don't have a pass, they can get an entry through the ticket which can cost more than 20 € for adults and 13 € for kids between the age of 6 to 14 years. However, children under the age of 6 years get a free entrance.

Opening hours
From 08:30 am till 8:00 pm, but entry is available to 7:00 pm.

Distance from nearest airport
Nearest Airport from the Palace is Venice Airport. The distance count between the two places is about 8 kilometers. Tourists can take a bus, taxi, or ferry directly from the port. 

History of Doge’s Palace

Credits:- Image by Denys Barabanov from Unsplash

First constructed in the 9th century, Venice has seen so many expansions of Doge’s Palace. When it was the residence of Doge from 726 to 1797, fires occurred multiple times, destroying different parts of the building. Then Napoleon's occupation overthrew the rule of Doge from the Palace, and Venice was given under the subjective control of France and afterward Austria.

In 1866, it became part of Italy, while the Palace was occupied by administrative offices and cultural institutions until the late 19th century. When the magnificent building started to show signs of decay, the Italian government took the matter seriously. They shifted out the offices from the Palace and reserved funds for restoration.

After the necessary renovation, the Palace was turned into a museum in 1923 and gave charge to Venetian Municipality to run it. In 1996 the Palace became part of the Venetian Museum Network, which has been working under the management of Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia till now.

The Architecture of Doge's Palace

Credits:- Image from Pixabay

The Exterior of the Doge’s Palace

Doge's palace, what we see today, was reconstructed in the 14th century. The most renowned Vietnamese architects and artists crafted different segments to design this grand palace. It is a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture.

The weight of the castle stands on a double-story of the slender and arched column. The top façade is weaved with pink Verona marble to give a lace-like appearance. This layer has arched windows. Also, the topmost crenelated roofline shows Islamic influence. Below is a list of some notable outer structures of the palace:

- Porta Della Carta: The entrance Doge's Palace, created by Giovanni and Bartolomeo, links the Palace to St. Mark's Basilica. Portada Carta translates to the paper gate. This name is thought to have originated from those people who waited at the gate.

They awaited to submit their petitions to the council. There is a sculpture of St. Mark's lion that reminded Venice of its political roots. With other sculptures and symbols, PortaDella Carta is among the best examples of Venetian gothic.

- The Bridge of Sighs: Towards the end of the façade, on the great canal side is Ponte Dei Sospiri.e., the bridge of sighs. This bridge connects the Doge’s Palace to the new prisons. Ponte Dei Sospiri has delicate stonework and is beautifully arched between the two buildings.

Prisoners walked this bridge before they appeared in front of the judges for a sentence. Through the stone grills of this bridge, the captives would take a last look at Venice and sigh with grief (hence the name of the bridge).

- The Central Courtyard: The main entrance of Doge's Palace leads into the central courtyard via the Foscari arch. Here you see a lot of columns, turrets, and even the statues of Adam and Eve, which reminds of the renaissance period. The central courtyard has a giant ceremonial staircase that joins the state apartments. On the top floor, Doges were crowned, and traitors beheaded. Two sculptures guard the stairs.

These are Statues of Neptune and Mars, which symbolized Venice's control of land and sea. Looking at Doge's Palace from the courtyard, we come to know that it has only three wings. The fourth wing was added via the junction of St. Mark's Basilica. The yard is mostly masterwork by Antonio Rizzo, who redesigned this after the fire of 1483.

The Interior of the Doge’s Palace

The interior of Doge's Palace is as mesmerizing as its enchanting exterior. With beautiful craftwork, decorated staircase and massive halls, this place is an academy of art in itself. Some of the significant delights inside the palace are:

- The Grand Council Chamber is a large hall which could hold meetings of upto 2000 magistrates. The hall is beautifully decorated with paintings, including the largest oil painting in the world. The ceiling is ornamented with sketches of 120 Doges except for the traitor doge 'Marino Faliero,' who is painted in black.

- Scala D Oro or the stairs of Gold, which connect the first floor to the upper floors. These are heavily decorated with 24-carat gold and were only used by council members and Doge's guests in the past.

- The Hall of the Council of Ten  was a secret chamber of Venetian republic. Except for the ten council members, No one was allowed here, not even the accused. The trial took place by reading out statements of the accused and defense. Outside this chamber, in the hallway, is a sculpture of Lion’s mouth where denunciations were dropped to report to the council.

- Prisons are the only gloomy architecture of the Doge’s palace. In the mid 16th century it was decided to build a new structure on the other side of the canal opposite to the palace which would house prisons and the chambers of the magistrates known as the Notte al Criminal. Linked to the palace by the Bridge of Sighs, these prisons are dark and have a compact design.

Museo Dell' Opera

Credits:- Image by Cedlambert from Pixabay

The Doge's Palace had gone through multiple renovations and reconstructions in the past. Reason being fires, architect failures, organizational changes, structural modifications, or overhaulings of the ornaments. Every moment, the palace had been under work. 

Doge's Apartments 

Credits:- Image by Kirkandmimi from Pixabay

Doge’s apartments refer to the rooms where the Doge, the chief magistrate or sometimes translated as Duke, lived and spent time with his family. These rooms were always located in the wing of the Palace, between the Rio della Canonica – the present-day Golden Staircase or in the mezzanines above and below the main floor. 

Tips for visiting Doge’s Palace

Credits:- Image by Flomo001 from Pixabay

- You should visit one of the main historical sights of Venice during March (before cruise season starts) and in October (when cruise season wraps up). Take a break at one of the appetizing cafes on St. Mark's Square, or at the cafe inside the Museo Correr (opposite Piazza San Marco from the Basilica) and enjoy the milder temperatures and short ques.

- Doge’s palace is heavily occupied on weekends. It’s better to plan your trip on weekdays