Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

onthegoboomer★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

This was GREAT!! A must see. Make sure you look up and look at the columns outside the palace as each column top tells a different story about Venetian life. As you approach the inside of the palace make sure you look at the different architectural elements including Greek and Roman influences. The statues are marble and bronze. The palace was the primary residence of the Doge but also served as the place where lawyers came to manage the laws of Venice, citizens could submit their complaints to one of many “suggestion boxes,” and also housed a prison wit cells for light criminals as well as a separate area for those whole going to be punished by death. The Bridge of Sighs was fascinating as it connects the palace to the Prison and prisoners would “sigh” as they went to their cell and took a final view of Venice. The Grand Council Chamber is an enormous room that served as the place where the Doge and his magistrates would meet and perform the duties of governing Venice. The paintings in each room are magnificent, many of the replicas due to numerous fires reconstruction and looting by foreign invaders including Napoleon. The Golden Staircase is an exquisite and ornate entrance for special guests hosting the Doge with gold leaf and paintings. The architecture is magnificent, ornate staircase used by honored guests. All I can say is this place is absolutely one of the most beautiful and unique palaces I’ve ever visited and an absolute must visit!

Dannielle Rice★★★★★★★★★★4.0a week ago

The palace is pretty wild. Amazing ceilings. We did a secret tour to see the prisons. Neat, too long though. For me, they need better signs on how to get around and there's only 1 bathroom location with a crazy long line. And oh my word - they have a bathroom dictator who controls how many & when people enter the bathroom. So stupid. 2 people have to use the restroom and wash hands THEN she gets around to letting 2 more people in. God forbid we go as people finish up! Utter Insanity. TOOK FOREVER!!! The staff are decent - quick to fuss at you. We stayed for about 2 hours and it was too long for us. It is beautiful, dont get me wrong, but its a government building- not a palace like we traditionally think of. Lots & lots of rooms for nobility to meet. Giant, open rooms.

MR94★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

Visiting the Doge’s Palace was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. Even though we only saw it from the outside, the building was absolutely breathtaking. The amount of detail in the architecture is incredible - every corner, window, and decoration looks like a piece of art. The palace looks beautiful during the day, but at night it becomes even more magical with the lights and atmosphere around it. I would definitely recommend seeing it both during daytime and after sunset because it feels completely different each time. A truly wonderful and unforgettable place that shows the beauty and history of Venice perfectly.

Rachel Wheeler★★★★★★★★★★4.02 weeks ago

Worth a visit. Definitely take headphones. There is no map, so you have no idea where you’re going or what you’re looking at. In the 1st floor, there is a QR code where you can then have an audios guide accompaniment. We booked through ‘GetYourGuide’ and they have their own audio, which was rubbish by comparison. Huge place to explore, we spent a few hours there.

Nam Truong★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

The Dogenpalast is one of the absolute highlights in Venedig. The architecture is breathtaking, and the history inside these walls is simply impressive. My wife and I spent almost three hours exploring the palace, and it was worth every minute. From the grand halls to the hidden prison corridors and the famous Ponte dei Sospiri, every corner tells a story of Venice’s former power. Elegant, fascinating, and unforgettable — a true must-visit.