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Recommended Reviews - Palazzo Ducale
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This place is immense and absolutely stunning - from the grand halls to the incredible artwork, every detail blows you away. I especially loved the prison area. It's eerie but fascinating to see where prisoners were held and imagine the stories behind those walls. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs is a must, too.
The Palazzo Ducale is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks in Venice. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, and the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. The massive ceilings are impressive, and the visit to the prisons are interesting too. I recommend spending at least two hours here, or possibly half a day if you'd like checking more thoroughly.
Everybody says that the Ducal Palace is a must when visiting Venice and in some ways it is. Most people want to say that they were able to see it. But is it worth it? In my opinion, not really. I wasn't overly impressed. Don't get me wrong, architecturally it is a masterpiece and you can get a real sense for the grandeur of the place from the outside. I was hoping that on the inside it would have been set up in the way that it was while the dukes were living there - that you'd be able to see bedrooms furnished, dining rooms, kitchens, throne rooms etc. but it doesn't look anything like that. It's a series of large empty rooms with beautiful frescos but no sense of what it was like as a working palace. It was thoroughly disappointing for that reason. I was more impressed by the Correr across the street. But, I can say that I went and I don't regret it. The line for the toilet is longer than the line to get in! I did like the dungeons.
When looking up things to do in Venice, this was one of the top places suggested to visit. Admission wasn't steep, and it's not as crowded. No air conditioning, just lots of fans and open windows. There was so much to view in here and so much history. We didn't follow a tour but still had a great time walking around. There are so many levels of the prisons to walk through. You even walk through the Bridge of Sighs here!
Another of the must see items in San Marcos Square. The Doge's (I wonder what one of the most powerfull men in the world at the time of their reign would make of them being a meme crypto currency today?) Palace was at one time the center of powerful empire. Both palace, meeting hall, seat of government, and jail it is quite spread out and I would plan on spending several hours here to even scratch the surface. The highly ornate rooms coupled with the art makes for an interesting comparison to the bleakness of the jail areas. Pretty sure you 100% wanted to be a guest of the former. Aside from that it is a typical palace. We did not go as part of a group rather just me and my son wandering about. I would highly advise getting tickets ahead of your visit as the lines were crazy long most of the times we walked by. Also for me at least it was alot like driving down PCH 1 South of Big Sur, it get a bit repetitive "Oh look yet another ornate room with huge paintings" but still worth a visit. The cafe is covered in a separate review
An amazing amazing palace. So much to see and take in. Hires a private tour guide for 4 hours. The PERFECT thing to spend your money on. She knew the history and was an archeology and art history major. The history of the palace and the people is rich with intrigue and stories of resilience. Take a tour, go by yourself. Hire a guide. It really doesn't matter but you must go and enjoy this other worldly place.
The Doge's Palace was our highlight today. Our ticket also gave us access to 3 other museums. The entry line went quickly and we were inside enjoying the art and learning a bit about the government of Venice. The Doge played a large role in the history of Venice so it's definitely something you should try and see. The art and opulence of the rooms were a stark contrast to the jail nearby. You get to walk the bridge of sighs and imagine what it must have been like for prisoners at that time. Loved the architecture and learning more about the history of Venice.
As with most of Venice the Doge's palace is very beautiful and not to be missed. it is very large so please allow yourself several hours to see it. if you pay extra for the "secret tour" you will get to see parts of the palace that others cannot like the torture chamber and the prison cell were Casanova was kept (and the story of his escape). in the courtyard you will find a small cafe with adequate meals and a very well kept bathroom. Come la maggior parte di Venezia, il Palazzo Ducale è molto bello e da non perdere. è molto grande quindi per favore concediti diverse ore per vederlo. se paghi un extra per il "tour segreto" potrai vedere parti del palazzo che ad altri non piacciono: la camera delle torture e la cella della prigione dove fu tenuto Casanova (e la storia della sua fuga). nel cortile troverete un piccolo bar con pasti adeguati e un bagno molto ben tenuto.
Do the secret itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace! The 5 stars are all for that. You get to go behind the scenes in the prison where Casanova and other notables were held. You go down secret passageways. Our tour guide spoke English well and she was funny. Sorry-not sorry that I'm not into artwork and you don't get to see the personal side of the Doge's Palace, like the bedrooms, or anything like that.
Doge Palace is a must-see attraction in Venice. It is a beautiful palace, but palaces and museums do start blending together especially on a big Europe trip. I recommend buying a timed-entry ticket online in advance. To be honest, the thing I remember the most from this palace was the absurdly long restroom lines. There was a bathroom attendant with a whole cordoned area for the line, which is kind of hilarious.
Between Basilica di San Marco and the waterfront at Piazza San Marco awaits this stunning, must-see Venetian landmark. It's known as Doge's Palace in English and justifiably hailed as 5 stars by Yelp elite because Palazzo Ducale is the finest palace in one of the world's truly transcendent cities. Study up on Wikipedia, prepare at the visitmuve.it site, and watch some YT vids if you WANT ... or don't ... and just go ... cause Doge's Palace has been awesome since construction began in 1340 ... or when it became a museum 99 years ago (in 1923) ... or whenever Dogecoin came into existence. Palazzo Ducale is still awesome today with everything you'd expect representing the best of Venice on display. The wealth. The power. The art. The huge giant art. The gothic architecture. The lavish style. The prison. The Bridge of Sighs. The courtyard. The history. It's all at Palazzo Ducale. Tips: * Open: 10:00a - 6:00p * Admission: €25 * Discounts for locals, students, & families * Secret Itinerary: €28 * Multi-museum pass: €35 * Audioguide: €5 * Self-guided tours: 1 - 6 hours * Museum cafe: small * Bookstore: a-ok Highlights: * The entrance courtyard & Senator's Courtyard * Museo dell'Opera (famous facade & columns) * La Scala d'Oro (aka the Golden Staircase w/24k gold) * Sala del Senato (the senate chamber) * The Tintorettos (the famous Tintoretto paintings) * Sala degli Scarlatti (men in scarlet room) * Sala dello Scudo (room with the coat of arms) * Sala delle Mappe (room with gigantic maps) * Hall dei Filosofi (Philosophers Hall) * Sala dello Scrigno (The Coffer Room) * Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council) * Sale dell'Armeria (Armory museum) * The prisons (Giacomo Casanova escaped from here) * Ponte dei Sospiri (walk inside the Bridge of Sighs) * The special visiting art exhibitions
Doge's Palace is a palace, court, and connected to jail house. This palace residence is a powerful Doge of Venice. He has supreme authority like a king. The person who found guilty will be the resident of next door jail house. The palace is beautiful. It connected bu bridge of sigh to the prison next door. The criminal who found guilty take the last breath walk through the bridge and has a sigh because this is last time they see sunlight through the bridge and sigh. That why call bridge of sigh. The palace has series of arc. It look spectacular outwardly. The welcome stair way is well decorated on the ceilings and side. You may want to paid attention to the ceilings and the floor tile. They are beautiful. The great hall use for party and gathering. The interior courtyard overlooking the St. Mark Basilica. One tip. Buy the combo ticket at Correr Museum. When you come to visit the Doge's Palace is a fast past since you already has the ticket. So visit Correr museum first because the line is shorter.
The Doge's Palace is a must see when in Venice. It is at the center of the local history and had a huge presence in the country's history and international platforms also. It's rooms are pleasant, regal and even mysterious. When stepping through the palace doors, you feel as if you've stepped back in time. We stood in line for around 20 minutes and were able to buy our tickets at the door. The line for this is much faster than getting in St. Mark's. There were a few different ticket options. It is best to select the one that gives admission to several museums in Venice. It costs the same price as the regular admission. Interpretation devices run around 5 euro each. They are worth the investment in order to get the most out of your visit. Enjoy.
Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace was one of my favorite parts of my trip to Venice. Ducale or Doge means Duke. The Duke was the highest governing position in Venice, and this is once where they lived. While strolling St. Mark's Square I already admired the beauty of the building. The building has gothic architecture with influences from the Byzantine times, Islamic and European Medieval styles. My camera does not do its' beauty justice. The tickets to Doge's Palace are time entry tickets, but they didn't seem to be too strict compared to other museums. Tickets are 37€/person. There is a baggage check in area for large items like a backpack, at no cost. It's nice because my boyfriend and I left our stuff there, even things that weren't required to be checked so we walked around more lightly. I only kept my phone for photos. One of the first things I remember seeing is the snitch mailbox. In the olden days the citizens were encouraged to rat on one another and they can leave anonymous tips for the government here. Unfortunately as a result many were wrongfully imprisoned... and there is a full on prison in the later ends of the tour. It was really scary to walk through. On a more positive note, there had the most stunning golden staircase and one of the most incredible largest paintings in the world, the Il Parasido by Jacopo Tintoretto. A must visit when visiting Venice! read more
Situated between the Basilica di San Marco and the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, the Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's (Duke's) Palace, is arguably the jewel in the crown. It was the seat of the government of Venice for centuries and hosted various government institutions, including the Great Council and the Council of Ten, which controlled the affairs of the republic. Its façade featured intricate marble reliefs, elegant arches, and decorative elements that showcased the beauty of the place where my partner, our friend, family members, and I had gotten self-guided tickets without a reservation last Saturday and moved quickly. One entered the palazzo through a door next to the Lagoon into an enormous courtyard and the Arco Foscari. Here we saw the mix of styles that made up the palace, as successive doges tried to make the palace ever more magnificent. Inside, one can explore a series of opulent rooms, grand halls, and ornate chambers adorned with exquisite artworks, stunning frescoes, and elaborate ceilings. Notable rooms include the Doge's apartments, the Hall of the Great Council, and the Chamber of the Council of Ten. Plan a minimum of two hours to get a good bit of history, which is a living echo of a world that helped shape Europe. We can recommend. read more
A major landmark in Venice located in San Marco. It is huge, so you will need at least 3 hours. A lot of stairs which can be a senior citizen nightmare, but not to worry. I saw a large number of seniors there. The trick is to pace yourself and take your time climbing up and down. Having said that, I did see some ramps and an accessible exit. Tickets! A full visit day ticket with Correr Museum is 30 euros! Regardless of how amazing the palace is, I think this is way too expensive. Seniors get half price. We visited in peak season, but arrived early. The whole process of standing in line and buying the tickets did not take more than 30 minutes. It was brutally hot and humid when we visited. There is no air conditioning inside, so dress accordingly and bring water. The art, the vibe and the history is solid gold. Quentin Metsy's depiction of Jesus is a masterpiece. The prison section with the cold cells and short doors was depressing. I loved our visit. read more
This place is immense and absolutely stunning - from the grand halls to the incredible artwork, every detail blows you away. I especially loved the prison area. It's eerie but fascinating to see where prisoners were held and imagine the stories behind those walls. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs is a must, too. read more
The Palazzo Ducale is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks in Venice. The palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, and the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice. The massive ceilings are impressive, and the visit to the prisons are interesting too. I recommend spending at least two hours here, or possibly half a day if you'd like checking more thoroughly. read more
1 year ago
Everybody says that the Ducal Palace is a must when visiting Venice and in some ways it is. Most people want to say that they were able to see it. But is it worth it? In my opinion, not really. I wasn't overly impressed. Don't get me wrong, architecturally it is a masterpiece and you can get a real sense for the grandeur of the place from the outside. I was hoping that on the inside it would have been set up in the way that it was while the dukes were living there - that you'd be able to see bedrooms furnished, dining rooms, kitchens, throne rooms etc. but it doesn't look anything like that. It's a series of large empty rooms with beautiful frescos but no sense of what it was like as a working palace. It was thoroughly disappointing for that reason. I was more impressed by the Correr across the street. But, I can say that I went and I don't regret it. The line for the toilet is longer than the line to get in! I did like the dungeons. read more
When looking up things to do in Venice, this was one of the top places suggested to visit. Admission wasn't steep, and it's not as crowded. No air conditioning, just lots of fans and open windows. There was so much to view in here and so much history. We didn't follow a tour but still had a great time walking around. There are so many levels of the prisons to walk through. You even walk through the Bridge of Sighs here! read more
Another of the must see items in San Marcos Square. The Doge's (I wonder what one of the most powerfull men in the world at the time of their reign would make of them being a meme crypto currency today?) Palace was at one time the center of powerful empire. Both palace, meeting hall, seat of government, and jail it is quite spread out and I would plan on spending several hours here to even scratch the surface. The highly ornate rooms coupled with the art makes for an interesting comparison to the bleakness of the jail areas. Pretty sure you 100% wanted to be a guest of the former. Aside from that it is a typical palace. We did not go as part of a group rather just me and my son wandering about. I would highly advise getting tickets ahead of your visit as the lines were crazy long most of the times we walked by. Also for me at least it was alot like driving down PCH 1 South of Big Sur, it get a bit repetitive "Oh look yet another ornate room with huge paintings" but still worth a visit. The cafe is covered in a separate review read more
An amazing amazing palace. So much to see and take in. Hires a private tour guide for 4 hours. The PERFECT thing to spend your money on. She knew the history and was an archeology and art history major. The history of the palace and the people is rich with intrigue and stories of resilience. Take a tour, go by yourself. Hire a guide. It really doesn't matter but you must go and enjoy this other worldly place. read more
The Doge's Palace was our highlight today. Our ticket also gave us access to 3 other museums. The entry line went quickly and we were inside enjoying the art and learning a bit about the government of Venice. The Doge played a large role in the history of Venice so it's definitely something you should try and see. The art and opulence of the rooms were a stark contrast to the jail nearby. You get to walk the bridge of sighs and imagine what it must have been like for prisoners at that time. Loved the architecture and learning more about the history of Venice. read more
2 years ago
As with most of Venice the Doge's palace is very beautiful and not to be missed. it is very large so please allow yourself several hours to see it. if you pay extra for the "secret tour" you will get to see parts of the palace that others cannot like the torture chamber and the prison cell were Casanova was kept (and the story of his escape). in the courtyard you will find a small cafe with adequate meals and a very well kept bathroom. Come la maggior parte di Venezia, il Palazzo Ducale è molto bello e da non perdere. è molto grande quindi per favore concediti diverse ore per vederlo. se paghi un extra per il "tour segreto" potrai vedere parti del palazzo che ad altri non piacciono: la camera delle torture e la cella della prigione dove fu tenuto Casanova (e la storia della sua fuga). nel cortile troverete un piccolo bar con pasti adeguati e un bagno molto ben tenuto. read more
Do the secret itineraries tour at the Doge's Palace! The 5 stars are all for that. You get to go behind the scenes in the prison where Casanova and other notables were held. You go down secret passageways. Our tour guide spoke English well and she was funny. Sorry-not sorry that I'm not into artwork and you don't get to see the personal side of the Doge's Palace, like the bedrooms, or anything like that. read more
Doge Palace is a must-see attraction in Venice. It is a beautiful palace, but palaces and museums do start blending together especially on a big Europe trip. I recommend buying a timed-entry ticket online in advance. To be honest, the thing I remember the most from this palace was the absurdly long restroom lines. There was a bathroom attendant with a whole cordoned area for the line, which is kind of hilarious. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Between Basilica di San Marco and the waterfront at Piazza San Marco awaits this stunning, must-see Venetian landmark. It's known as Doge's Palace in English and justifiably hailed as 5 stars by Yelp elite because Palazzo Ducale is the finest palace in one of the world's truly transcendent cities. Study up on Wikipedia, prepare at the visitmuve.it site, and watch some YT vids if you WANT ... or don't ... and just go ... cause Doge's Palace has been awesome since construction began in 1340 ... or when it became a museum 99 years ago (in 1923) ... or whenever Dogecoin came into existence. Palazzo Ducale is still awesome today with everything you'd expect representing the best of Venice on display. The wealth. The power. The art. The huge giant art. The gothic architecture. The lavish style. The prison. The Bridge of Sighs. The courtyard. The history. It's all at Palazzo Ducale. Tips: * Open: 10:00a - 6:00p * Admission: €25 * Discounts for locals, students, & families * Secret Itinerary: €28 * Multi-museum pass: €35 * Audioguide: €5 * Self-guided tours: 1 - 6 hours * Museum cafe: small * Bookstore: a-ok Highlights: * The entrance courtyard & Senator's Courtyard * Museo dell'Opera (famous facade & columns) * La Scala d'Oro (aka the Golden Staircase w/24k gold) * Sala del Senato (the senate chamber) * The Tintorettos (the famous Tintoretto paintings) * Sala degli Scarlatti (men in scarlet room) * Sala dello Scudo (room with the coat of arms) * Sala delle Mappe (room with gigantic maps) * Hall dei Filosofi (Philosophers Hall) * Sala dello Scrigno (The Coffer Room) * Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council) * Sale dell'Armeria (Armory museum) * The prisons (Giacomo Casanova escaped from here) * Ponte dei Sospiri (walk inside the Bridge of Sighs) * The special visiting art exhibitions read more
Doge's Palace is a palace, court, and connected to jail house. This palace residence is a powerful Doge of Venice. He has supreme authority like a king. The person who found guilty will be the resident of next door jail house. The palace is beautiful. It connected bu bridge of sigh to the prison next door. The criminal who found guilty take the last breath walk through the bridge and has a sigh because this is last time they see sunlight through the bridge and sigh. That why call bridge of sigh. The palace has series of arc. It look spectacular outwardly. The welcome stair way is well decorated on the ceilings and side. You may want to paid attention to the ceilings and the floor tile. They are beautiful. The great hall use for party and gathering. The interior courtyard overlooking the St. Mark Basilica. One tip. Buy the combo ticket at Correr Museum. When you come to visit the Doge's Palace is a fast past since you already has the ticket. So visit Correr museum first because the line is shorter. read more
The Doge's Palace is a must see when in Venice. It is at the center of the local history and had a huge presence in the country's history and international platforms also. It's rooms are pleasant, regal and even mysterious. When stepping through the palace doors, you feel as if you've stepped back in time. We stood in line for around 20 minutes and were able to buy our tickets at the door. The line for this is much faster than getting in St. Mark's. There were a few different ticket options. It is best to select the one that gives admission to several museums in Venice. It costs the same price as the regular admission. Interpretation devices run around 5 euro each. They are worth the investment in order to get the most out of your visit. Enjoy. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Doge's Palace is well worth visiting when coming to Venice. One could easily spend a couple of hours here. read more
Palazzo Ducale, i.e. Doge's Palace (Duke's Palace), was the seat of the Venetian government and the ruling Duke. When Venice was at its peak of power thanks to its military and trading prowess this Palace was built to show off and impress visitors of its might. I had a mixed view of our visit. I'm not a huge fan of wealthy homes and palaces - talk about income inequality! That said, the amazing art and ornate decorations are a visual delight. As a bonus, you'll see some beautiful architecture, a wonderful courtyard, pass through the Bridge of Sighs and experience the ultimate in contrasts as you walk through the connected prison. Be prepared for what seems like a never-ending series of large staircases as you enter the palace/museum. (These apparently helped to intimidate ancient visitors; they'll do the same for out of shape tourists!). It was hot and humid in Venice during our mid-September visit. Alas, the palace was no escape from the heat - it is NOT air-conditioned! The air was quite stuffy, and on some floors the large windows were open with nice views, and more importantly, a welcome breeze. But the heat definitely detracted from the experience. Worth seeing if you have the time, but Venice has so many delights that Palazzo Ducale to me is an optional attraction, not a must-see. read more
This is a fascinating place in Venice. It is a location that requires payment to enter but it is worth it. We had a tour guide and she was great. There is a ton of history and art in this location. Plus Casanova escaped from here read more
The Palazzo Ducale, the Doge's Palace, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Venice. Obvioulsly you have St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Cathedral, but this is an amazing place. The room after room of fantastic paintings adorning the walls, the display of historical weapons, and the cells by the Bridge of Sighs are things that will stay in your memory for a long time. The views from the open windows of the Grand Canal are just superb! This is a don't miss place in venice! read more
This was a last minute decision for us because jetlag forced us out early in the morning. We hopped into the museum right at opening and were so glad we did! No crowds, plenty of people-free photo opportunities and much cooler to walk around the palace - although some rooms were pretty stuffy and warm. There are plenty of placards all around explaining the deep, rich history of the palace. I found the prisons to be pretty interesting (i.e. prison art) and also being able to grab a great view of the canal outside of the Bridge of Sighs. read more
4 years ago
A little repetitive. We had a tour guide who explained the history of the palace and paintings. If you are into old history I would recommend. If not a lot if the rooms are very repetitive gold ceiling frames with similar pictures inside. There was a weird new modern art exhibit which didn't match the rest of the place at all. read more
This place is incredible. So do yourself a favor and hire a tour guide to walk you through. There is so much interesting history that you wouldn't know about walking through on your own. There were many signs or plaques explaining what you were seeing. But even if you can't swing the guide, this place is still so worth it because it's stunningly gorgeous! Every single room is dripping in beauty. Every wall and ceiling is covered in murals or beautiful wood carvings painted gold. Even the staircases and hallways or breathtaking. Bring your camera/phone, because you're allowed to take pictures everywhere! We arrived around 9:30a on a Thursday in Mid July and the line To get in stretched the length of the long building. But we'd seen it twice as long around noon the day before. Definitely go early! And plan on taking about an hour and a half to walk through. read more
8 years ago
14 years ago
Palazzo Ducale (aka Doge's Palace) is located in St. Mark's Square. We were advised to buy our tickets in advance and I am so glad that we did!!! Since we purchased our tickets on www.tickitaly.com we bipassed about 400 people waiting in the rain and went to the front of the line. You do pay a small service charge (3 or 4 Euros) for an advance tickets, but it was worth paying the fee to not wait hours in line. Doge's Palace was filled with impressive rooms covered gold leaf paint, historical artifacts and Venetian paintings. My husband and I spent hours walking into each room of the palace. The tour groups at Doge's Palace were rather large so I would advise against joining a group. Instead use Rick Steves' travel guides or pay for the optional audio equipment. read more
The Palazzo Ducale, built in Venetian Gothic style, was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice. It opened as a museum in 1923. The regular tour of the Doge's Palace is interesting enough. Within this Complex's Gothic civic architecture, every stone, passageway and artwork seemed to evoke the power that the former Venetian Republic wielded. That of course included the Ponte dei Sospiri or Bridge of Sighs ... the final walk of prisoners across the water to what was most likely their end. To dig a little deeper, Erin, Jim, Gayle and I took the Itinerari Segreti del Palazzo Ducale (the secret tour of the Doge's Palace). What this told me was that for every big public room, there were hidden passageways and concealed rooms where justice was served in a much more private and efficient way. No pictures were allowed, but many of us snapped a few anyway. Some of the hidden sights that we saw included various tiny and inhospitable prison cells (including the one from which notorious lover Giacomo Casanova made his escape), the Office of the Notaio Ducale (Doge's secretary), the Cancelleria Segreta (Secret Chancellery). the Torture Room, the roof crawl space of the Palace itself, the Inquisitor's Room (where a shadowy 3 person tribunal ordered death to those who would steal state secrets or other sometimes arbitrary crimes), and other tidbits of Venice history. The ceiling murals were particularly impressive, but only put lipstick on a justice pig that was swift and brutal. So....If you happened to be wandering around the Piazza San Marco, please take the time to explore beyond the facade, including the Palazzo Ducale. there are layers and layers of history here and even a small taste is well worth the admission fee and any wait. read more
Palazzo Ducale aka Doge's Palace is another stunning landmark in Venice (are there any ugly sights in this city!?). Located right off the St. Mark's Square and next door to the St. Mark's Basilica it's hard to avoid this place. Although I don't know why you'd even want to... the building is spectacular. And there is so much history filling the place up. No to mention the artwork, the gold ceilings, the archways and columns. The architecture! Oh, the architecture! We started our tour off in the Courtyard where our guide gave us some information on how Venice's government was initially formed. Following a walk up a gorgeous staircase with gold reflecting off the entire ceiling, we headed through the State Government offices and chambers - each room more impressive than the last. You can't leave Doge's without a walk through the Bridge of Sighs over the prison chambers... it's remarkable how the décor changes as you cross this bridge. Gorgeous details on one side - dirty dark quarters, and tiny windows covered with bars on the other. The contrast is ridiculous, but it really gives you an idea of how prisoners were kept back in the 17th Century. Gosh... there's just so much history... I'm not doing this place justice at all. If you have the time - make sure you schedule a visit while you're in Venice. It's worth every euro. read more
The one place that you must visit when in Venice is the Doges Palace. One tip is get there early to avoid the long queues that develop for those people that get up late. We arrived about 9.30 and, surprise,surprise, no queue and we were able to wander around within the palace with no hassle from tour groups with their guide brolly or flag in the air. Take your time wandering and you won't miss a thing. The rooms and exhibits are fantastic. The final bit of our tour was walking across the inside of The Bridge of Sighs to the prison section. Not as austere as expected but I wouldn't have liked being in there. Even though it was hot outside, in there it was cold. Well worth a visit. read more
What a fun Palazzo, so many people crowding around. Lots of sights for sure. It really is a beautiful place to take in all the scenery but it's very hard to enjoy with the crowds and peddlers selling junk and pigeons. Find your happy place and enjoy then move on. read more
Doge's Palace is the huge former residence of the leader in Venice, now museum. I did not go to the museum but I did drop by to see it. Located at the Piazza San Marco along the Grand Canal. It is massive. I cannot believe someone used to live inside. I loved the arches that run along the palace. Very symmetrical in design and details. Marble with pinkish trim. Very busy area. read more
The best aspect about Venezia is that everywhere in the historic city is a photogenic surprise, but there are two buildings that are worth entering, one of which is Palazzo Ducale. Of course, what palace in Venezia is more extravagant than the ruling palace? Behind the ornate facade is the residence of the Doge, the ruling elder of the Venetian Republic. However, contrary to popular belief, the Venetian Doge was at best a figure head because the ruling powers actually were spread throughout many councils. Hence, Palazzo Ducale also hosts many offices for the many councils, with each room filled with beautiful paintings that fitted with the various themes! Because of a devastating fire, Palazzo Ducale had to reconstructed - fortunately during the peak of both the Venetian wealth and talents. The result was the massive collaboration among stars like Titian and Veronese who filled every room with paintings and sculptures - some of which are so beautiful that each of them could easily be a headliner piece in any major art museum! Even if you speed through every room, you'll still be dazzled by the beauty and the extravagance that differ room by room. If you book the Doge's Apartment tour, you can see the private extravagance of the Doge residence. However, the most impressive room has to be the main hall, Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council). Topped with Tintoretto's unbelievable "Last Judgement", this is Venezia's largest room, which is said to be hold up to 20000 noblemen who must convene every Sunday after a mass in San Marco! It is simply a true testament to the former greatness of the Serenissima Repubblica. But don't leave Palazzo Ducale without seeing the gritty part of it. Cross the famous Ponte dei Sospori (Bridge of Sighs) and you will enter the much less glamorous prisons, which are certainly a far cry from the beauty that you just left behind. Let's just say the ruling Venetians were brutal, but if you want to see more, the Secret Itineraries tour that take you to the even more cruel prisons will satisfy you. Anyway, the Institutional Rooms for the "vanilla" admission to Palazzo Ducale can easily take at least an hour to walk through and up to a whole day if you are truly into every masterpiece in this endless gallery! Regardless of how much time you have in Venezia though, this is a palace that you cannot miss! --- ENTERING PALAZZO DUCALE The most basic admission is the combined San Marco Museum ticket for €19, which also includes the less-popular Museo Correr, Archaeological Museum, and Biblioteca Marciana. Unfortunately, you cannot buy only the Palazzo Ducale admission. Reduction for student or youth (through Rolling Venice Card) is available for €12 though. Especially during high season, online booking via Venezia Unica or the official website is recommended so you can bypass the ticket office line. If you wish to see more of Palazzo Ducale, considering booking through the official website either the Doge's Apartment or the Secret Itineraries (for more prisons) tour for exclusive access. Either tour will allow you to stay within Palazzo Ducale as long as you want afterwards. The entrance is toward the lagoon, near Ponte dei Sospori. --- tl;dr version: 1) One of the only two must-enter buildings in Venezia 2) So many arts that it'll take forever to see! 3) See both the beautiful grandeur of the ruling chambers and the gritty darkness of the prisons 4) Book a tour to see the exclusive area read more
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