Visit

Would you like to visit one of the absolute icons of Venice? The Doge is a magnificent entrance into the history, art, and power of Venice- an influential maritime republic. Arrange a visit to the palace, it is not an ordinary tourist attraction, but rather a sort of time travel by teleportation, with all the gilded stuccoes, iconic paintings, and hidden prisons.

As soon as you enter the square of St. Mark you cannot help but notice the undisguised figure of the Doge Palace as a spectacle. It is Venetian Gothic in its style, which makes rhythmic harmony: exquisite arcades, tracery, 2-arched windows and white-and-rose marble that alternates in colour with daylight. During centuries this location has brought to mind images of the nobles and prisoners, justice and betrayal, and even the doges themselves. Each of the corners, big or small, possesses its own voice that moves and has as well as practically tangible presence.

As you step into the building, you get that serene feeling and also find yourself engulfed in an air that has a serious atmosphere where a heavy political decision was once made in these rooms. You start up the great Golden Staircase–rich, gilt-crowned, and used by the most exalted visitors. Venice turns out a great lady asking you to explore the finest chambers in her heart–the scenes of the most memorable scenes of Venetian politics. The Great Council Hall is one of the largest halls in Europe. Its walls are packed with doge portraits and pictures of the important moments in the history of Venice, and gold leaf falls between symbols and allegories. The main point of the palace is the Senate Hall, where the masterpiece of Tintoretto, Paradise: a canvas of 10 meters in diameter, glowing with light and celestial figures, is located, which is the image of the eternal glory of Venice.

Another notable aspect of the sightseeing takes you to the prisons through the Bridge of Sighs: a stone-walled walkway where you can feel yourself stepping on the frozen and living rock and nearly feel the chill that the prisoners experienced as they made their final glance of the lagoon and the sun. One of them was Giacomo Casanova, the known Venetian born seducer and author.

Visitors are always welcome in the palace, although in order to have a more peaceful visit, the best season is during winter (Jan to March) or during mid weeks. The season of summer may involve a lot of population and queuing. The most appropriate time of day to go is during the early morning and in the late afternoon. The price of your ticket to the palace will also allow you to visit other museum sites in St. Mark’s Square (the Correr Museum and the Archaeological Museum).

Types of tickets are: a normal ticket, which will allow access to the full of the palace; or the secret itineraries, a guided tour of the background and behind the scenes to obscure rooms and secret archives; or the Venezia Unica City Pass which will include several attractions of the city. The booking of tickets occurs online, thus getting rid of queues. Bring comfortable shoes–the way is a long one, with stairs. You can book a guided tour or add an audio guide to it in case you are a history and art enthusiast.

What is the Doge Palace? It is not only a cultural place but a complete immersion in the city spirit that shows the hug of the art and power in the balance that is both gripping and complicated. As you go out in St. Mark, your eyes pass over the lagoon, and all is imbued with the feeling. You exit the palace, and you will not forget it. A coffee delight is the best thing to end the moment. A dream that is a permanent part of the heart and soul.