Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
- Address: San Marco, 1, Venice
- Hours: Open Summer 9am - 7pm (until 6pm in Winter)
- Admission: € 13 for a Piazza San Marco museum pass
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Monument - Historical,
Museum,
Palace
Until 1797, the Doges ruled the Venetian Empire and the Palazzo Ducale was where they ruled from. A Venetian Gothic fantasy palace, it was one of the first things those arriving in Venice saw as their ships sailed through the lagoon and landed at Saint Mark's Square. The Doges lived here and the government offices were also in this building. Justice was meted out here and the Golden Book, listing all the important families of Venice, was housed here. No one whose family was not in the Golden Book would ever be made Doge. It was an extremely political process ruling Venice and residents could accuse others of wrong doing by anonymously slipping a note into the Mouth of Truth.
Inside the palace is wonderful art (paintings by Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese), majestic staircases, the Doge's apartments, the government chambers, the prison cells and the Bridge of Sighs. Outside, along the piazzetta, each column is different. Between the ninth and tenth column death sentences were declared and executions carried out between the freestanding columns in the piazzetta next to the lagoon. Even today Venetians won't walk between them. A final chance to live was given if you could walk around the edge of the third column on the seaward side of the palace: try it - no one ever succeeded.
Latest Reviews
Review by Michelle, March 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: Best of Venice Walking Tour including Basilica di San Marco
We really enjoyed the walking tour of Doge's Palace. Unfortunately, the Basilica de Marco tour was not possible because of a special event that was taking place in the church. The tour guide still provided us with great information about the Basilica. Excellent and informative tour guide.
Review by elguaposinpelo, November 2012
Doing what: Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour
My wife and I had been to the Doge's Palace on previous trips but this Secret Itineraries Tour took us to areas off the beaten track, truly to "secret" places. It was fabulous...the highlight of our time in Venice. Our guide was first-rate and clearly loved the history of Venice. She had great knowledge of Casanova's time as a prisoner in the secret portion of the Palace. Highly Recommended.
Review by Tana T, November 2012
Doing what: Skip the Line: Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour
This was a great tour. Well done and very interesting. I finally understand who the Doges of Venice were!
MimiAustin
Practical Info
The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is located next to St Mark's Church in St Mark's Square. Vaporetto S. Marco/Vallaresso.
