The Doge's Palace, known in Italian as Palazzo Ducale or Palazzo dei Dogi, stands on the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Veneto. It was the former residence of the Doge of Venice and the seat of the city's government, so a visit gives a sense of how the Venetian Republic was run from within the walls where its decisions were made.
What to look for
The building is a fine example of Gothic architecture, and its exterior and courtyards reward slow looking. Inside, the rooms are decorated with paintings by Tintoretto, whose work is among the best-known associated with the palace. Viewing the paintings alongside the grand halls gives a good idea of how the palace was meant to impress visitors and officials alike.
Connected to the Bridge of Sighs
The palace is linked to the Bridge of Sighs, the covered bridge that crosses a canal and connects the palace with the prison buildings nearby. Many visitors choose to walk the route, which makes the palace and its history easier to picture as a single story.
Planning your visit
- Location: Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice, Italy.
- Contact: +39 041 271 5911, if you want to check details before you go.
- The palace sits in the heart of Venice, so it pairs naturally with a walk around the Piazza San Marco and the surrounding streets and canals.
For anyone interested in Venetian history, art or civic life, the Doge's Palace is a central stop. Allow time to move through the rooms at your own pace and to step out onto the piazza afterwards.
