For many centuries the Palazzo Ducale (the same as the Doge's Palace) served as the residence of the Venetian government, managed to visit the councils of the republic, the Senate, the Supreme Court, the Ministry and even the secret police. And on the ground floor there was also a chancery, a maritime office, a censorship and a lawyer's office.

A bit of history

However, the Palazzo Ducale, which we can admire now, has almost nothing to do with the building that was built originally, more than a thousand years ago. The palace that was in that place was destroyed by a terrible fire and rebuilt again by the beginning of the 15th century. True, on this misfortune Palazzo Ducale, did not end and a hundred years later, in 1577, he survived a new fire that completely destroyed one wing of the palace, which this time was built exactly the same as it was before. During the construction of the palace, the architect planned to build something that would involuntarily inspire reverential awe to foreign ambassadors - this explains the monumental character of the building and the amazing luxury of interior decoration.

Halls and exposition of the palace

In the palace there are many other unusual halls - for example, the Hall of Cards, the walls of which are decorated with a huge number of beautiful maps executed by the best Italian masters. On the upper floors there are two ceremonial halls, which can be reached by the Golden Staircase decorated with gilt stucco.

In the halls of the Senate, the Collegium, the Office of Laws and the Office of Criminal Cases, a number of cases of state importance were commissioned at the time, and the design of each of them corresponded to the status of visitors - many masterpieces of Italian painting and stunning wall, floor and ceiling finishes.

Opening hours and cost of visiting

The palace is located at San Marco 1, Piazzetta San Marco, 2, entrance from the lagoon.

In the warm season, from April to October, it is open to visitors from 8:30 to 19:30, during the period from November to March it closes two hours earlier, and a tour of the grandeur presented in the palace will cost you 20 EUR.

The Doges' Palace in the evening

Entrance to the Doge's Palace

Clock at the Doge's Palace

Inside the palace

Luxurious living room, Doge's Palace

The magic façade, the Doge's Palace

Magnificent arches, the Doge's Palace

Doges Palace during the Venetian Carnival

Reviews of the Doge's Palace (9)

Evaluation 10

Palace of the mighty of this world October 23, 2014

Sssmoscow

was here in March 2012

The Doge's Palace in reality produces a much brighter impression than the photographs. This is some incredible combination of grace, nobility and power at the same time. This is the first thing that the merchants arriving at the harbor saw. And I'm sure they were all very impressed. And they were ready to trade passionately with this city! There is no doubt about it when you stand at this architectural masterpiece. This building hides an incredible amount of detail, you can go a few times past and each time you see something ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 9

The business card of Venice. July 28, 2014

Igira

was here in April 2013

Being in Venice not to visit the Piazza San Marco and not see the Doge's Palace or as it is also called Palazzo Ducale is an unforgivable mistake. Although I confess honestly that I did not really want to visit this place precisely because it is the most "tourist" in Venice. As the saying goes "business card" of the city. Usually in such places a huge crowd of tourists. But we traveled by a group of friends and by a majority vote it was decided to visit this place, especially since the berth ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

In the shadow of the dungeon of the Doge's Palace May 19, 2014

Denis

was here in May 2014

Were on an excursion in the Doge's Palace with an audio guide in Russian. Photos inside did not work, but there remained a lot of impressions and thoughts. Particularly struck by the prison and its cells, the rooms of the Privy Council, reprisals against a single anonymous denunciation. Venice severely monitored its citizens, and stopped any thoughts about changing the structure of the Republic.
Yes, the audio guide in Russian is not offered in the museum itself, but in advance it can be downloaded on the Internet together with the scheme of halls, or ask it from someone of friends who ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Lacy Palace May 08, 2014

Len_Chik

was here in June 2012

The Ducal Palace in Venice is one of the most recognizable architectural structures. Monumental and light at the same time, it draws attention to its lace decoration.
Despite the fact that for centuries here were not the most bright and joyful events, from his visit there are very warm impressions.
With us was a very good guide, a local student who independently learns Russian. No audio guide would tell us so many stories from the life of Casanova or the 120 Doges that lived here .... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

April 25 - Feast of Liberation at the Doge's Palace May 07, 2014

Egor

was here in April 2014

Very successfully came to Venice on April 25 - a holiday similar to our Victory Day and bearing the name of the Festival of Liberation. On this day, Mussolini fled from Italy, and liberation of Italy from fascism began.
Well, as Venice, among other things, is the capital of the province of Venice and the capital of the Veneto region, all the main festive events of this day took place in Venice, where the inhabitants of all the subordinate places came to the holiday. The city was beautifully decorated with the banners of Venice, the flags were ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Can I do without a guide? Yes! February 20, 2014

Sole

was here in February 2014

We also visited the Doge's Palace. Beautiful, rich, solemn.
The ticket costs 16 euros, children under five years old are free of charge.
The ticket price includes a visit not only to the Palazzo Ducale, but also to three other museums of San Marco Square - the Museo Correr, the National Museum of Archeology (Museo Archeologico Nazionale), the main hall of the National Library of Marchan (Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana).
The list of museums can not be memorized, it is listed on the ticket.
And more importantly - the ticket is valid for three months! That is ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 8

beauty in a Venetian style November 25, 2013

Alliry

was here in August 2011

The Doge's Palace is one of Venice's most touristic places, where there are already many people. The place where the mighty Venetian Republic ruled the omnipotent doji, where the senate sat and human destinies were made, is undoubtedly a work of architectural art. Gothic monograms and patterned arches and openings, knitted by needles, a huge courtyard and marble statues in the best traditions of Greek sculpture - this is the view of the Doges' Palace at first sight. This is not a fortress like many ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 8

Elegant architectural masterpiece November 25, 2013

dani_dash

was here in August 2012

The Doge's Palace is most likely the most visited place in Venice. It is indicated on any tourist map, and to get to San Marco Square you can take a boat or a gondola. Gondola, of course it will be more expensive, but still worth a try. We were in Venice in August at the height of the tourist season, so St. Mark's Square was filled with tourists from different countries. The building itself looked stunningly beautiful, very interesting architectural style, colors. To go inside, ... Read the whole review

September 27, 2013

Allo4kakom

was here in September 2013

Of course, every tourist who enters Venice does not remain indifferent and falls in love with this city built on the water. All excursions in Venice begin with the San Marco area. Here on the right side of the square there is a magnificent building with galleries, made in Gothic style from marble of pink hue. This is the Doge's Palace, which for many years was the residence of the Doges (the rulers of Venice). Now the Doge's Palace is an architectural monument in which the museum is located. Visit the Palace ... Read the whole review