What to see inside the Doges' Palace?

Inside the Doges' Palace is a magnificent place.

The Doge's Palace, also known as the Palazzo Ducale, is one of Venice's most famous buildings.

Located in the large Piazza San Marco, the palace was the Doge's residence.

It was also the seat of power for the Venetian Republic, which lasted over 1,000 years.

Today, the Doge's Palace is one of Venice's must-see museums.

Let's find out what you can find inside.

Inside the Doge's Palace: article summary

Inside the Doges' Palace: the arcade statues

The chief architect of the Doge's Palace was the mastermind behind the open arcade that defines the exterior of the palace's first floor. He was also responsible for the design of several arcade sculptures, including "Noah's Drunkenness", depicted on the corner of the south façade, and allegorical tondos. representing the Veneto region on seven of the arcades facing the Piazzetta.

This is one of the first things you'll see when you enter the Doges' Palace. I recommend you take the time to contemplate its magnificent statues, which harmoniously complement the overall architecture of the exterior.

La Porta della Carta

Built in 1438, the "Paper Gate" is a gateway between the Doge's Palace and the Saint Mark's Basilica. Architect Bartolomeo Buon embellished the gate with spires, sculpted trefoils and beautiful statues, including the of a winged lion (the symbol of Venice).

The gate is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Theories as to why the gate is called the "Paper Gate" refer to the state archives. However, others say that it was the gate where written requests to the government were submitted.

Inside the Doges' Palace: Foscari Arch

Beyond the Porta della Carta is the Foscari Arch, a beautiful triumphal arch with Gothic spires and statues, including sculptures of Adam and Eve by artist Antonio Rizzo. Rizzo also designed the palace's Renaissance-style courtyard.

Contemplate the Staircase of the Giants

This grand staircase leads to the first floor inside the Doge's Palace. It is so named because the top of the Escalier des Géants is surrounded by statues. of the gods Mars and Neptune. During your visit, you'll have to use it to reach the rest of the building, so you'll understand that this massive work could almost be used by the giants themselves.

The Museo Dell'Opera

A little further on, you can visit the Doge's Palace Museum. Here you'll find original capitals from the palace's 14th-century arcade, as well as other architectural elements from early incarnations of the palace. This is perhaps the place with the most period artifacts in the entire Doges' palace.

Inside the Doges' Palace: The prisons

How can we talk about the Doges' Palace without mentioning its prisons? Known as I Pozzi (the wells), the dank and sterile prison cells of the Doge's Palace were located on the first floor.

When it was determined in the late 16th century that more prison cells were needed, the Venetian government began construction of a new building called Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons).

The famous Bridge of Sighs serves as a bridge between the palace and the prison. Access is via the Sala del Maggior Consiglio on the second floor. If you'd like to find out more about this bridge, I recommend reading the article I wrote on this subject.

Visit the Doge's apartments

The Doge's former residence occupies almost a dozen rooms on the second floor of the palace. These rooms contain particularly ornate ceilings and fireplaces, and also the Doge's Palace image collectionwhich includes spectacular paintings of the emblematic lion of San Marco and paintings by Titian and Giovanni Bellini.

Inside the Doge's Palace: The Great Council Chamber

Now we come to the heart of the palace. The great hall where the Grand Council, a place where all nobles of at least 25 years of age would gather. This hall was completely destroyed by fire in 1577. However, a lavishly detailed renovation took place between 1578 and 1594.

It contains an incredible gilded ceiling, which has panels depicting the glories of the Venetian Republic, and the walls are painted with portraits of the Doges and the Venetians. frescoes by Tintoretto, Veronese and Bella.

The control room

This room on the second floor of the Doge's Palace was used as a stripping room as well as a meeting room. Like the Sala del Maggior ConsiglioIt features exaggerated decorations, including a carved and painted ceiling, with important paintings of Venetian sea battles on the walls.

Inside the Doges' Palace: The College Hall

The Cabinet of the Venetian Republic met in this room on the third floor. This was the Doge's throne room.

On the decor side, an elaborate ceiling with Veronese paintings and walls of decorated with famous paintings by Tintoretto.

Nineteenth-century English art critic John Ruskin commented that no other room in the Doge's Palace allowed a visitor "to enter so deeply into the heart of Venice".

Inside the Doge's Palace: The Council of Ten room

The Council of Ten was a spy service created in 1310 after learning that Doge Falier was conspiring to overthrow the government. The Council met in this separate room to keep pace with the other branches of government.

Work by Veronese decorates the ceiling, and there's a large painting of "Neptune bestowing gifts on Venice" by Tiepolo.

Now you know what you need to see inside the Doges' Palace in Venice. During your stay, I recommend that you Spend some time here and soak up the art of Venetian architecture.

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