Doge's Palace History and Architecture

Located in the city of water, Venice, the Doge’s Palace is a spectacular structure that served as the official residence for the Doge of the Venetian Republic. Built in the 14th century, this palace is renowned for its long history and Venetian Gothic architecture. Tourists from all over the world come to admire its breath-taking beauty as well as know more about the role the palace played in the history of Venice. The palace has been significantly renovated after fire damage and has emerged even stronger on each occasion.


The palace has been turned into a museum that houses stunning art pieces and frescoes by renowned artists. It has one of the biggest rooms in Europe that has one of the world’s largest oil paintings on canvas. Tourists will also get to admire the capitals of the palace that narrate stories about the past. The palace is a reflection of the wealth, power and status of the Republic of Venice and has been one of the most visited locations in Venice. Also, if you wish to get to know the darker side of Venice, this beautiful palace will also take you through the dark reality of the past. 

Plan your Visit to Doge's Palace

Opening Hours
Opening Hours

The museum is open for visitors from Monday to Sunday.

  • From April to October : 9 AM - 7 PM
  • From November to March : 9 AM- 6 PM


The museum is open for visits all round the year, except on 25th December and 1st January.


Doge's Palace Guide Tour >>

How to Reach
How to Reach

You can easily cover all the sections and chambers of the entire museum in 60 minutes. However, if you wish to get to know about the palace in detail, then you should set aside a minimum of 2 hours for this tour. The palace is full of interesting stories that can enrich your knowledge about the history of the palace and the Republic of Venice. If you have the opportunity, do visit this museum to uncover fascinating facts and tales about the palace.


Hotels Near Doge's Palace >>

Must to Visit
Must to Visit

There is a lot to explore in the Doge’s Palace from stunning art pieces and luxurious ambience to the grim reality of Venice’s past. You start by witnessing the giant stairways, Scala Dei Giganti and at the top of these stairs you will see two giant statues of Poseidon and Mars. The palace has one of the largest rooms in Europe, The Great Council Chamber, where public concerns and financial matters were taken care of by the Senate. 


Additionally, the stunning Bridge of Sighs that connects the luxurious part of the palace to the dark prison is a must visit. The Chamber of Torment is where you will learn about the dark reality of the past and learn about heart wrenching stories. In a room called ‘Secret Itineraries’, secret meetings were held with the prisoners which were not open to the entire council. Also, get ready to be surprised by the small Doge’s apartment in this lavish facility.

Cusines to Try
Cusines to Try

Since the Doge’s Palace is in an extremely popular area of Venice, there are plenty of eateries around. Here are a few suggestions for you :

 

  • Cantina Canaletto: Approximately 4 minutes away from Saint Mark’s Square, this restaurant has lovely outdoor seating. This restaurant offers quality dishes from all the 20 regions of Italy at an extremely reasonable price.


  • Antico Martini: This is a historic restaurant that has been serving and welcoming guests from all over the world since 1720. Make sure you try the specialty of the house, black truffle pasta and celery and coriander fish soup.


  • La Caravella: This beautiful place is renowned for its lovely garden setting. It is approximately 5 minutes walk from Saint Mark’s square and you can get all the Italian classics here.

Guided Tour Options

Guided Tour Options

It is important to keep in mind that the Doge’s Palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Venice. Tourists from all over the world come to visit and it always remains busy, which is why it would be best to carefully plan your trip in advance.


The best option would be to take a guided tour. This way you will get priority access without having to wait in long lines. Also, you might not know where to start from exactly or skip certain main sights without even realizing. A guide will take you to all the main sightings so that you don't miss out on anything.


To take a guided tour also saves a lot of time and you will get to know all the backstories that you will not get to see in the museum. The guide narrates real incidents and keeps informing the tourists about the significant details of the past.





Book Doge's Palace Tickets >>

FAQ

Can you visit Doges Palace without a ticket?

    It is mandatory to purchase a ticket to get entry inside the museum. You can buy the tickets at the venue or simply book online tickets from the comfort of your home. There are different types of tickets available like standard ticket, guided tours and combined nearby attractions ticket.

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