The Doge Palace

Monuments - San Marco Area

Unraveling the Historical Beauty of the Doge's Palace: A Venetian Gothic Masterpiece

From its ancient roots dating back to the 9th century to its numerous restorations over successive centuries, the Doge's Palace in Venice stands as a testament to the city's architectural prowess and rich history. Known as "Palazzo Ducale" in Italian, this magnificent structure has evolved into an emblematic landmark that brings together history, art, and culture.

The Doge's Palace, which has its façades hailing from the period between 1309-1424, is a masterpiece crafted by the talented Giovanni and Bartolomeo Buon. Its intricate design was not a product of a single era but a culmination of different periods, primarily Renaissance, culminating in an architectural marvel that echoes Venice's illustrious past.

Spanning a total length of nearly 152 meters (500 feet), the façades of the Doge's Palace showcase open arcades across the two lower storeys. A fire in the 16th century instigated a significant rebuild of the third storey, which now extends over the arcades, contributing to the Palace's distinct aesthetic appeal. This reimagined upper storey is adorned with white and colored marble, depicting ornate windows and is gracefully capped with a lace-like parapet featuring oriental cresting—a design that encapsulates the charm of Renaissance architecture.

Interestingly, the arcade columns of the Doge's Palace, originally perched on a stylobate of three steps, now rise straight from the ground without bases. The second tier's durable continuous tracery lends a robust visual appeal to the open arches. The delicately carved capitals of these columns, especially the renowned angle capital praised by Ruskin in The Stones of Venice, are a feast for the eyes, masterfully crafted in low-grained marble.

SAINT MARK'S SQUARE - PHOTO GALLERY 

The unique design of the Doge's Palace - a harmonious fusion of columned and pointed arcades, intricately carved capitals, and elongated horizontal lines of open tracery - can be best described as Venetian Gothic. It's a distinctive blend that skillfully marries strength with elegance, capturing the timeless allure of Venice.

Discover the historical magic of the Doge's Palace, an architectural symbol of Venice that seamlessly weaves centuries of stories into its beautiful, complex design. A visit here is a journey back in time, allowing you to experience first-hand the grandeur of Venice's past, resonating through the halls and corridors of this breathtaking Venetian Gothic masterpiece.

When to visit the Doge's Palace - Hours and tickets

Opening Hours:
From 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ( last admission 6:00 pm)
On Friday and Saturday( summer season from May to October)  the Doge'd Palace is open until 11:00 pm with last admission at 10:00 pm

Tickets and PASS:
ST. MARK’S SQUARE MUSEUMS TICKET: combine 1 Single entry at Doge's Palace plus itinerary of Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. 

• Adult € 25.00 if purchased online 30 days before the visit date
• Adult € 30.00
• Children 6 to 14 years old € 15.00
• Free 0/5 years

MUSEUM PASS: Include Cà Rezzonico – Museum of 18th-Century Venice; Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo; Carlo Goldoni’s House; Cà Pesaro, International Gallery of Modern Art + Oriental Art Museum; Glass Museum – Murano; Lace Museum – Burano; Natural History Museum

• Adult  € 46.00  
• Children 6 to 14 years old and seniors aged 65 or more € 25.80
• Free 0/5 years

 

 What you will see at Doge's Palace:

• The Opera Museum
• The Courtyard 
• The Doge's Apartment
• Institutional Halls
• Prisons
• Armory