In the distant past, there was no stronger state in the entire Mediterranean than Venice. Many years have passed, and now this city attracts to these places not various merchants and invaders, but a huge number of tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy the amazing splendor of the Venetian sights.
One of them is a masterpiece of architecture, presented in the Gothic style - the Doge's Palace. For many hundreds of years, it served as a residence for the city government and even managed to visit the role of the premises where republican councils had previously held meetings. We learn about this world famous building from this article.
Foundation and reconstruction
Doge's Palace (Italy) began its existence in the X century, but the structure was periodically subjected to devastating fires. Therefore, the structure in our time has a completely different look than the one that he had over a millennium ago.
In the first years of its foundation, the palace was a real fortress and acted as an object of strategic importance. A large moat was built around it, and huge watchtowers towered everywhere. Over time, it was all destroyed to the ground by a strong fire.
In the middle of the XIV century, construction began on the most recognizable southern part of the building, which offers a wonderful panorama. Then the Government of Venice decided that all city power should be in a luxurious and presentable place, so the choice fell on the Doge's Palace. The history of this building suggests that for some time there was a secret police and chancellery.
At the end of the 16th century, this building suffered from a new fire that completely wiped out its entire southern wing. After Italian architects, it was decided to create a palace that would inspire reverence and awe to all foreign ambassadors. Thanks to this, it becomes clear why this Venetian landmark has such luxurious decoration and impresses with its splendor.
The appearance of the structure
When you look at the Doge’s palace, it seems that its facade consists of various elements of architecture that have absolutely no connection with each other. But at the same time, the building looks amazing, attracting the attention of any visitor.
All finishing work of the building was carried out mainly at the end of the 15th century. At this time, just the Gothic style was gradually replaced by the era of harmonious Renaissance. Therefore, the facade is dominated by architectural rounded shapes, shimmering in sunlight with various shades of marble.
Doge's Palace has one detail overshadowing its history. Here on the second floor, where the ninth and tenth columns are made of red stone, the verdicts of the death penalty were announced.
In the central part of the building is a balcony, above which is a sculpture depicting Justice. In the 19th century, the unification of the Republic of Venice and Italy was announced from this place.
Palace Description
The style of the Doge's Palace is presented in different architectural directions. The first tier of the structure is specially designed to give the building a certain lightness, but this is only at first glance. Doge's Palace is held by 36 huge columns. And on the second tier of the building there are much more of them, but they are smaller in diameter. The front part of the structure remotely resembles an inverted ship. In its courtyard there are several floors of beautiful galleries. You can go there through different gates, some of them are called Paper. They are so called because the local authorities once hung their decrees here.
In the north wing there are many statues of various famous philosophers, and it was this part of the building that used to be the doge's apartment in the old days. Here in the corners are the archangels, symbolizing war, trade and peace.
You can get to the second floor of the Venetian landmark through the Giants Staircase, on the upper platform of which the rulers were crowned. There are winged lions everywhere , personifying St. Mark, who is considered the patron saint of the whole republic.
The halls of the Doge's Palace are an extraordinary and amazing sight. Here are the most beautiful paintings made by the best Italian masters, and many different unique architectural monuments of different times. In these premises, important state issues were discussed and sentences were passed, and at present they are of great interest to all connoisseurs of art and culture.
According to many tourists, the Doge's Palace has a very interesting arrangement of its halls and galleries. Its construction plan was developed by famous Italian architects.
Purple Room and Grimani Hall
At the beginning of the tour, all tourists enter the Purple Room. Here, the doge appeared before the prosecutors, therefore the walls and ceiling of this room have rich decoration, and the marble fireplace of this room is decorated with the coat of arms of the ruler Agostino Barbarigo, who in the old days conquered all of Venice. The Doge’s Palace stores its paintings in the Grimani Hall. Many of them depict the patron saint of Venice - St. Mark. In addition, this room contains beautiful frescoes and many interesting historical exhibits.
Hall of Four Doors, College Hall, Senate Hall
The second flight of the Golden Stairs leads tourists to the Hall of Four Doors. Its ceiling was designed by the great Palladio and painted by Tintoretto.
In another room adjoining it, one of the walls is decorated with various mythological scenes, and one of the most dramatic paintings of the palace - “The Abduction of Europe” is located in this room near the window.
Next is the College Hall, where the rulers and their advisers received foreign ambassadors, and also discussed the great affairs of the republic. This room features 11 paintings by great representatives of art of that era.
In the next room, the ruler and his 200 assistants discussed various matters of international importance, so the room was given the corresponding name - the Senate Hall.
Council of Ten Hall, Armory
The Council of Ten Hall hosted meetings of powerful representatives of the city government, which touched on issues of state security. In this room, the ceiling is decorated with two magnificent Veronese paintings.
In the next room - the Armory, there is a mailbox, which at one time served for anonymous denunciations. From there, a large wooden door leads to the Hall of State Inquisitors, and immediately after it there is a room where torture was carried out, as well as prison cells.
Great Council Hall
The length of this room is 54 meters, so this room is considered the largest not only in the city, but throughout the country. The Hall of the Great Council is located in the southern part of the building and it was once decorated with paintings by famous Italian artists, which, unfortunately, were destroyed by fires.
The picture of the Doge’s Palace “Paradise”, located in this room, is considered one of the largest in the world. The room has a huge flat ceiling, covered with magnificent paintings, having a mandrel in the form of gilded patterns.
Currently, this room has a complete collection of portraits of all the doges who have ever ruled in Venice, except for Marino Falliero, who was executed for treason.
How to get to the palace for tourists?
Doge's Palace is popular among travelers and admirers of all the beautiful at any time of the year, so it is almost impossible to buy tickets there without a queue. In addition, this place can be visited by buying a sightseeing tour of Venice to see all the sights of this city.
But it’s worthwhile to carefully study the scope of tickets, since not everything can include a visit to the most secret places of the palace and the Bridge of Sighs, but they are just of most interest to tourists. These rooms are part of a long excursion for which you have to pay separately.
Opening hours and how to get
In the period from April to October, the Doge's Palace for excursions is open from 08:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and in the cold season - from November to March, it closes 2 hours earlier. The entire inspection of the structure will cost about 20 euros per person.
There is absolutely no difficulty getting into the Doge’s Palace. Where this building is located, any local resident will tell. It is located at the following address: Piazzetta San Marco, 2, San Marco 1, thus being located between San Marco Little Square and the mall.
Reviews
According to many tourists, this building produces in real life more excitement than in photographs. It simultaneously has a noble, powerful and elegant look. When you are next to this architectural masterpiece, it seems that you are becoming part of a secret of centuries.
The palace is fraught with so many small and interesting details that having passed in one place even several times in a row, you will still see something new. The very atmosphere of this place attracts travelers from all over the world, producing indescribable delight on everything seen here.
Interesting Facts
It turns out that next to the palace is the largest prison in the whole city, which is separated from this magnificent structure by only a narrow canal with a covered bridge.
This building is considered to be one of a kind, during the construction of which no rules of architecture were used at all.
Interestingly, for many centuries, escaping from prison in the palace was considered simply impossible. Everyone was sure of this, until Giacomo Casanova was there. Together with his friend, he managed on the second attempt to be free. He described this incident in his memoirs.
This palace is depicted in the picture of the famous artist Francesco Guardi, which is currently in the National Gallery of London.
After visiting the palace, only bright and warm memories remain. This is undoubtedly a very beautiful building. A tour of this building resembles a walk through medieval Venice, so thousands of tourists come here every year. I would like to believe that in our difficult time every inhabitant of the planet will find the opportunity to visit this magical place and enjoy the grandeur and grandeur of the Doge's Venetian palace.