The Doges Palace – Palazzo Ducale to the Italians - is one of the highlights of any trip to Venice.
Without a doubt, the Doge’s Palace,
St Mark’s Church
and
St Marks Square are the images of Venice Italy that are known throughout the world.
The Doges Palace is one of those great buildings that exceeds all
expectations.
On a sunny day the building appears to float above the
Piazza, so typical of Venetian architecture, this whole feeling of light
and magnificence conveyed so effortlessly.
The Doge's Palace - A History of Venice
Not withstanding the impression of lightness, this is a building
where some of the most important decisions in Europe were once taken.
Initially built as a castle in the 11th century the whole place
burnt down and was reconstructed as the present palace during the 14th
century. No one is really sure who designed it but Filippo Calandario is
the most likely candidate.
It was nearly destroyed again by fire in the 16th century. Despite
many wishing to replace it with a more classical building it was
thankfully restored faithfully.
The one or two minor classical
additions, here and there, do nothing to detract from the previous
design.
Open most days, a tour around the Doge's Palace is a must. The palace was not only a palace but also the seat of government, home of
the law courts and a prison.
A tour encompasses all of this, from the
torture chamber through to the Great Council Halls.
The system of government with its checks and balances on the
Doges is fascinating and was put in place to keep the Doges from
becoming dictators.
Only a few really tried to overcome this, Marino Faliero is
perhaps the most famous of those who tried to change the system and
bucking the system was really not a good idea in those days.
You will see that where his picture should be in the Sala del
Maggior Consiglio there is only a black space. He was condemned to be
erased from living memory and was mutilated and executed.
Our Doge’s Palace Tips
Tip 1
If you are in Venice at the height of the summer tourist season and
the wait to get in is too long (it nearly always is) rather buy what is
called a cumulative ticket at the Correr Museum.
This allows you to see the Correr Museum, which has works by most
of the leading Venetian artists dating back to the sixteenth century,
and it also allows you to visit the Doge’s palace without having to
queue up outside again. Simply enter through the side entrance and save a
lot of hassle.
Tip 2
If you really want to get the most out of your limited time in Venice join the tour called Skip the Line. You'll discover a wealth of things you'd
never discover on your own. Try to book a few days before you visit.
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More Travel Tips:
Book your tickets to museums and other attractions in advance on Tiqets.com
Book your accommodation. Booking.com and Agoda help you to book accommodation in advance
Book your excursions. Wherever you go, make the most of your time! Excursions with professional guides will help you do this - choose a location and the best option for yourself on Viator or Getyourguide
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