Discovering The Doge’s Palace

How about a lovely Venice walking tour? With its extensive history, intricate architectural miracles, and plenty of opportunities for romance, spending a few days in the City of Canals is perhaps as close as you’ll ever get to a holiday of absolute perfection.

Of course, a trip to Venice wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its most iconic cultural attraction: the Doge’s Palace, otherwise known as the Palazzo Ducale. But what’s so special about this building? You’re about to find out.

Know the Basics

Before discovering the treasure trove inside Doge’s Palace, you’ll want to get an introductory glimpse into the edifice’s significant role in times gone by. For seven-hundred years, the Venetian-Gothic palace served as the Republic of Venice’s secular seat of power, and was home to its ruling family’s leader: the Doge of Venice. The palace’s elaborately decorated halls were used for administrative purposes, and were inhabited until 1797, the year in which Venice was conquered by Napoleon. Luckily, however, the palace survived the political turmoil of the following centuries, and eventually opened its bejewelled doors to the general public in 1923. Since then, the palace has been a world-famous museum, and is a must-see for art, culture, and history enthusiasts alike.  

Explore the Interior

In today’s day and age, administrative buildings aren’t necessarily known for their beauty: rather, they’re meant to be functional and efficient. The Venetians of centuries past had a different view. Although the Doge’s Palace served a largely secular purpose, the exterior’s charming colonnades, pink marble, and intricate stone patterns prove that the building’s main purpose was to impress visitors with its jaw-dropping beauty. 

It certainly doesn’t end with the exterior – although admiring the palace’s architecture on a Venice walking tour is well worth your time. I highly recommend  investing a few hours to venture inside. Along with imposing administrative rooms, prisons, and courts, you’ll be able to discover what life was like for the doges of Venice in their private chambers. My favourite part of the palace is undoubtedly the Scala d’Oro, a gleaming golden staircase, and the Sala delle Quattro Porte, a grand political space that is decorated with artwork by some of Italy’s finest painters, such as Tiepolo, Giovanni Cambi, and Titian. 

Make the Most of Your Visit

I always have the same philosophy when I travel: make the most of your experiences, as you never know if you’ll return. What, then, is the best way of taking in the history and magnificence of Doge’s Palace? In my experience, it’s always advisable to take a Venice walking tour, along with booking a small-group visit to the palace with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. 

ArtViva’s 75-minute tour of the Palace is a great way to get thorough answers to all your questions about the palace’s formation, function, and often tumultuous past. In addition, you’ll gain a special insight into the building’s long-kept political, familial, and downright tragic secrets.

Curious to find out more? Don’t hesitate to visit our website for more details, and get in touch with our team of experts today.

Rose Magers is an Australian-born Italophile and the founder of ArtViva. With an international reputation for excellence and creativity, ArtViva are at the forefront of escorted day tours in Italy. Rose has indulged her own passion for history and the arts by designing an innovative range of exceptional small group day tours and experiences, whether a <a href="http://www.italy.artviva.com/tours_category/6/venice_tours">Venice walking tour</a>, a boat ride up the Grand Canal or an unforgettable lesson from a gondolier.