The Doge's Palace is an iconic monument in Venice, Italy. This imposing palace has played a major role in the city's history. It was the residence of the doges, a term derived from the Venetian dialect meaning "dukes." The executive, legislative and judicial powers of yesteryear have centralised within its walls. The Doge's Palace is a success of the marriage of Gothic art with Renaissance art. You will discover spacious and beautiful rooms that are full of works of art by the best artists of the time such as Jacopo and Domenico Tintoretto. You can admire the prison cells and cross the Ponte dei sospiri or the Bridge of Sighs during a guided tour for example.
Where does the name Palace of the Doges come from? Its name comes from a very powerful lineage "the Doge family" that has long held political power in Venice.
What is the name of the bridge connecting the Doge's Palace to the prisons? This is the bridge of sighs. It is associated with the tragic fate of the prisoners brought back to prison after their trial, who certainly breathed "sighs" throughout the bridge!
