In the center of Venice, where the waters of the Grand Canal flow into the lagoon, rises a grandiose palace. Its luxurious halls are filled with memories of the former triumphant and rich history of the Venetian Republic. This is the Doge's Palace – the rulers of a unique maritime empire. An amazing architectural miracle is a symbol of statehood and is the main attraction of the city. In the building, in addition to the doge's apartments, there are spacious meeting rooms for senators, masters and supreme judges.
Construction history
By the end of the 10th century, Venice became a powerful maritime power led by the Doge. At that time, his residence looked like a simple, no-frills wooden building, surrounded by a large wall with towers. The insular position of Venice led to the emergence of a special state structure and identity in politics. Over the course of several centuries, a complex system of government was gradually formed, combining monarchy, oligarchy and democracy. Privileged local communities elected the head of the republic – the doge. He was actually a ruler with limited powers. The true leadership of Venice was carried out by the nobility, in particular the Grand Council and the Senate.
The ancient palace, closed by protective fortifications, did not correspond to the new system of leadership of the republic with its expanded economic and political opportunities. Venice was defended by a battle fleet, so there was no need to build a powerful fortress. The city needed a building that would be able to place the entire government apparatus of legislative, executive and judicial power in one place.
Since 1309, the construction of the palace in the Gothic style began. The emergence of the latest trends of that period in architecture and art was marked by a gradual expansion of the area of the palazzo halls, the construction of new buildings and the decoration of the facade with elegant architectural elements of decor. Venetian artists and craftsmen were engaged in decorating the palace in the form of sculptures and frescoes. In 1424, the palazzo acquired an unusual cubic shape with a courtyard. In the 16th century, fires damaged the residence several times, which led to new construction and restoration of the facade.
The main concept of the Doge's Palace was to inspire the surrounding world with the concept of the independence, grandeur and financial well-being of Venice. The combination of austerity, airiness and sophistication of forms in architecture should have left an indelible impression in the eyes of foreign ambassadors. After the fall of the Venetian Republic, the Doge's Palace lost its powerful significance. Before joining Italy in 1866, the city was under the protectorate of France, and then Austria-Hungary. The palazzo has been converted into a library, and some of the halls housed commercial businesses.
At the end of the 19th century, on the initiative of the Italian authorities, a comprehensive reconstruction was carried out: many columns were replaced, sculptures and frescoes were restored. The building is transferred to the state administration for the protection of monuments. Since 1923 the palace has been officially a museum.
Architecture and style
The appearance of an architectural masterpiece is unusual. One facade of the Doge's Palace overlooks the lagoon, and the other – St. Mark's Square. The massive strict building rests on light openwork colonnades. The entire lower floor is full of round arches. The second tier is represented by a row of thin columns forming an open loggia. Through arcades add sophistication to the architectural style. The capital of each column is decorated with carved sculptures. Gothic-style colonnades are elegantly combined with oriental decor.
The central part of the palazzo is decorated with a large balcony, above which rises the statue of Justice. The upper part of the palace is a smooth wall with large arched windows. The roof is crowned with a jagged cornice, where small pointed turrets with intricate ornaments rise. The facade is clad in pink, white and gray marble.
The main entrance to the palace is the gate framed with decorative patterns, spiers and bas-reliefs. Above them rises a sculpture of Doge Francesco Foscari, who kneels before a winged lion. On the sides of the gate are statues of young women, symbolizing strength and mercy. Passing under the lancet arch, visitors have a majestic view of the staircase of the Giants. Its steps lead to large sculptures of Mars and Neptune, considered the patron saints of Venice.
The inner courtyard of the palazzo is surrounded by marble arcades, and in the center there are two small bronze pools with spring water. Here you can see many different sculptures of biblical characters, philosophers and scientists of Ancient Greece.
Halls
The palace consists of several buildings: the residence of the Doge, the halls of Justice and the Great Council. The Palazzo impresses with an abundance of rooms, each of which has its own name and purpose. The walls and ceilings of the chambers are decorated with magnificent paintings, statues and stucco. The best sculptures and artists of medieval Italy were engaged in interior decoration. Painting in the halls had a sacred meaning for members of the government. Through pictorial allegory, the state decisions of Venice were glorified and idealized.
The largest room in the palace is the Great Council Hall. It is 53 meters long and 25 meters wide. More than 2,000 noble Venetians could sit here at the same time, discussing the current problems of the country. Behind the doge's throne rises the artistic canvas “Paradise” with dimensions of 22×7 m, glorifying the beauty of Venice. The walls and ceiling are painted with paintings bordered with gilded patterns. They depict scenes of the military exploits of the Venetians on land and at sea.
The doge's study is decorated with a wooden carved ceiling, picturesque friezes, stucco and a marble fireplace. Upholstered furniture covered with golden velvet fabric, lacquered table and mirrors give the room a special sophistication. In the Senate Hall, you can see unique panels by the famous Venetian artist Tintoretto, painted on the ceiling. The main figures of the paintings are the image of Christ and the doji. This is a kind of hint that the senators responsible for the economy and foreign policy of Venice were under the tutelage of the son of God.
Visitors to the museum will certainly be amazed by the pompous painting by G. Tiepolo in the Four Doors Hall called “Venice accepts the gift of Neptune.” The artist gracefully depicted Venice as a woman with a royal robe, at whose feet Neptune pours gold coins from a bowl. The members of the government of Venice, who investigated state crimes, sat in the hall of the Council of Ten. The ceiling of this room is divided by carved gilded frames with canvases interpreting mythological trials.
The room where the masters met is framed by paintings by the Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch. The paintings depict a satire on human vices, temptation and atonement for sin. The Doge's Palace impresses with its versatility. In addition to working rooms for the authorities, the building houses two prisons. One with lead walls under the roof, and the other is in the basement at water level. Famous prisoners of the Doge's Palazzo were Giordano Bruno and Giacomo Casanova.
Opening hours and cost of tickets to the palace
The Doge's Palace for visitors opens its hospitable gates from 8:30 to 19:00 (in the warm season from April to October) and until 17:30 (in the cold season from November to March). The cost of a single ticket with a visit to all halls is 20 euros.
Where is it located and how to get there
The palace is located in the Piazza San Marco area, where the main attractions of Venice are concentrated, so getting to the architectural structure is quite easy. Water buses (vaporetto) sail here, plowing the waters of the Grand Canal. Near the palazzo there is a pier where ferries and passenger liners arrive.