The Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, is a beautiful Venetian Gothic structure on St. Mark’s Square. It was for centuries the residence and center of power of the Doge, the former “Duke” of Venice, who ruled as the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, a city-state that lasted for more than 1,100 years.
History of the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was the residence of the Doge (the ruler of Venice) and also housed the political bodies of the state, including the Grand Council (Maggior Consiglio) and the Council of Ten. Inside the luxurious complex, there were law courts, administrative offices, courtyards, grand staircases, and ballrooms, as well as prisons on the ground floor. Additional prison cells were located across the canal at Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons), built late
from the 16th century and connected to the palace through the Bridge of Sighs.
You can see the Bridge of Sighs, the torture chamber, and other sites that are not open to visitors on the Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour.
Historical records indicate that the first Doge’s Palace in Venice was built in the late 10th century, but much of this Byzantine part of the palace fell victim to later reconstruction efforts. The construction of the most recognizable part of the palace, the southern Gothic facade facing the water, began in 1340 in order to maintain the meeting chamber for the Grand Council.
There were numerous expansions of the Doge’s Palace throughout subsequent centuries, including after 1574 and 1577, when fires devastated parts of the building. Great Venetian architects, such as Filippo Calendar and Antonio Rizzo, as well as masters of Venetian painting, contributed to the elaborate interior design.
The most important secular building in Venice, the Doge’s Palace, was the home and seat of the Republic of Venice for approximately 700 years until 1797, when the city fell to Napoleon. It has been a public museum since 1923. Today, visitors come to see its elaborate interior and exterior Rococo architecture, its incredibly grand corridors at the heart of Venice’s history and politics, and its priceless paintings by Venetian masters such as Titian. , Veronese, Tiepolo. and Tintoretto.
An unforgettable visit
You can still walk the opulent corridors, where it is not difficult to imagine conspiratorial politicians whispering their secrets. Today, the Doge’s Palace is an important city museum, one of 11 managed by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.
There is a lot to see, so when visiting, allow plenty of time to explore. Before you go, read up on the palace and set out a few highlights that you would like to be sure of and see or follow our suggestions. For now, here are some basics to help you plan an unforgettable visit to Palazzo Ducale.
Visitor information
Location: San Marco, 1, Venice
Hours: from April 1 to October 31 from 8:30 am to 9 pm (last admission at 8:30 pm) from Sunday to Thursday, and from 8:30 am to 11 pm (last entry at 10:30 am pm) Friday and Saturday. From November 1 to March 31 from 8:30 am to 7 pm (last admission at 6:30 pm) every day. Closed on January 1 and December 25.
More information: visit the website or call (+39) 041-2715-911.
Admission: If you want to buy tickets on the day of your visit, ask for prices at the ticket window or call ahead. For € 25 (2019 price), visitors can purchase a St. Mark’s Square Museum Pass, which is valid for three months and includes the palace and three other museums. There is a reduced price for visitors over 65. The Doge’s Palace is also included in the Museum Pass, which costs € 35, covers 11 museums and is valid for six months.
Advance Ticket Purchase: The Doge’s Palace website contains links to purchase your tickets in advance, which we strongly recommend that you do.
Tours: Particularly popular is the Secret Itineraries Tour, which includes a visit to secret passageways, prisons, an interrogation room, and the infamous Bridge of Sighs. Reservations are required and can be made from the Doge’s Palace website.
