The magnificent Palazzo Ducale is the dominant building on the banks of the Grand Canal, close to St Mark's Basilica.
The 14th-century building beautifully combines elements of Byzantine architecture and European Gothic, making it a unique example of 'Venetian Gothic'.
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The seat of the rulers of the Venetian Republic is definitely worth a visit from the inside. The richly decorated golden interiors and the huge frescoes will not leave even a person who is not normally interested in architecture at ease.
Architecture and a bit of history
The Doge's Palace has served as the residence of the Doge of Venice, ruler of the Republic of Venice, since 1340. At the height of this state, the Doges of Venice were among the most powerful political figures on the European continent.
The palace impresses at first sight with its beautiful and unconventional architecture that seems to disregard the basic laws of physics. The heavy, uniform block of the second floor sits on top of the delicate and subtle first floor with its arcades, arcades and rich decoration, creating an extraordinary aesthetic value.
Visiting the palace
The interior of the Doge's Palace, however, is definitely worth a visit. In many of the halls you will admire the magnificent paintings and frescoes on the ceilings, the gilded and richly decorated walls and portals, and the beautiful furniture.
At 53 metres long, the Grand Council Chamber is one of the largest rooms in any historic building in Europe.
The visit also includes an exposition of the prison, which is entered via the famous Ponte dei Sospiri, which you can thus walk through.
The visitor tour can be done on your own or with an audio guide.
Please allow at least 45-60 minutes for the tour.
Entrance fees and opening hours
Basic admission includes all the museums in St. Mark's Square: the Doge's Palace, the Museo Correr, the Archaeological Museum and the Marciana Library. It is not possible to purchase a cheaper ticket for the Doge's Palace only.
We recommend buying your ticket online via the website palazzoducale.visitmuve.it to reduce queuing time. The €5 discounted ticket online is only valid for purchase at least 1 month before the visit.
Due to the relatively expensive admission fee, there are usually no long queues even for those who want to buy their tickets on the spot.
| Price on site | Online price (purchase 30 days in advance) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | 30 eur | 25 eur |
|
Senior 65+ |
15 eur | 13 eur |
Opening hours vary according to the season.
- 1 April - 31 October Open 9:00 - 19:00 (last entry at 18:00)
- 1 November - 31 March open 9:00 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
- From 1 May to 30 September it is open until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays (last entry at 22:00)
Official website: palazzoducale.visitmuve.it
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