Walking across Saint Mark’s square, the Doge’s Palace sits royally upon the shores of the Grand Canal.  The Gothic architecture, ornate artwork, and inner political workings offer visitors a glimpse of the non-religious part of life for historic Venetians.

Palazzo Ducale, The Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, was the seat of power for the Venetian government for over 700 years.  Venice was ruled by the Doge, an elected leader. He worked in coordination with the Great Council and the Council of Ten, which altogether formed the Venetian republic.  The building itself contains three wings that are centered around an open courtyard. The doge’s apartments were on the canalside, the law-courts were on the plaza side, and the Hall of the Great Council was along St. Mark’s basin.

As it was the official residence of the doge, it contains stately rooms, grand staircases, and architectural gems beautifying the property.  Many of Venice’s greatest architects and artists contributed in some way to the final building including Filippo Calendario and Titian.

Though the original palace was constructed sometime toward the end of the 10th century under the rulership of Doge Sebastiano Ziani, over the centuries, restorations have obscured and replaced the original Byzantine-Venetian architecture of the building.  During the early 1300s, the membership of the Great Council increased dramatically and more room was needed to house all the members during meetings. What you see today was mainly constructed between 1340 and 1442 and it was done so in a Gothic architectural style.

Fire outbreaks caused the need for additional restorations in 1483, 1547, and 1577.  

The Venetian government remained independent until 1797, when Napoleon and his forces overtook and occupied the city.  After the French left, the city was under Austrian rule. It finally joined with the rest of Italy in 1866. In 1923, the palace opened its doors as a museum for the public.

The Prisons and The Bridge of Sighs

Also included within the palace were a large number of prison cells and a torture chamber.  These were dank and dark rooms that were known as “the wells”.

As more cells were needed, new prisons were built across the Rio di Palazzo canal.  An enclosed bridge made of white limestone was built in 1614 to span the canal. This bridge allowed prisoners to pass from the New Prison to the interrogation rooms within the Doge’s Palace.  It became known as the Bridge of Sighs, as it was the last view that inmates had of the beautiful city of Venice and freedom itself before serving out their prison terms. The romantic name was coined by the English poet, Lord Byron.  

Where is it Located?

The Doge’s Palace is located next to St. Mark’s Basilica at the southeastern end of Saint Mark’s square, or the Piazzo San Marco, on the island of Venice, Italy.