The Dogi Palace and its secrets
The Dogi Palace represent the symbol and the hart of the political and administrative life of the Venetian Republic millenary history. In the halls of the palace the Doge and the council took all the decision about Venice and its life.
In 1797 the history of the winged lion republic changes dramatically ending under the French and Austrian domination until the annexing with the reign of Italy in 1866. Duriong this periods the palace become site of various offices and hosted as well the National Marciana Library.
At the end of 17 century the Italian government restored the building, all offices and institution were moved and the only one left and still present is the “ surveyor of ambient and architectonical establishment of Venice and lagoon. In December 1923 the Italian state entrust the management to Venetian Municipality that opened the palace as a museum and starting from 1996 the palace become part of the Musei Civici Veneziani system.
The dogi palace is a masterpiece of gothic art structured on a magnificent stratification of elements, foundations dated 300/400 renaissance style cusps, and mannerism signs.
It counts three big parts: the wing toward Saint Mark’s basin that host the major council hall which is the oldest, the wing toward the square, former justice palace that host the poll hall, and finally the renaissance wing that host the Dogi residence and many government offices.
The visitor entrance is under the archway of the 12th century façade in front of Saint Mark’ s basin, the ground floor host services for the public and the former doges kitchen host periodic exhibitions and the opera museum, the opera was originally a sort of technical office assigned to the maintenance and restoration of the palace. the access is from the dogi palace courtyard there it is also the magnificen “ Scala dei Giganti” the stairs of the Giants the ancient Honour access with the two enormous statue representing Mars and Neptune, sculptured by Jacopo Sansovino in 1565, the journey continue on the upper halls where can be find the “ Piano delle Logge” with view on the rooms enriched by the “Appartamento Ducale“ the dogi’s apartements then the “Stanze Istituzionali” the institutional Halls, the visit ended on the armoury and the prisons.
The are also secrets itinerary not accessible with the standard journey, the secret itinerary offers a suggestive and interesting approach to the most secrets and particular rooms of the palace.
It is necessary to book this visit with a specialized guide.
