Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
This morning we had a tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s with a guide. We walked from our hotel to St. Mark’s Square where we met our guide. Our group entered Doge’s Palace when it opened. It really helped to be ahead of the crowds.
The Doge’s Palace was known for its Gothic architecture.
It also was the center of power for the Venetian Republic for over 1,000 years, the residence of the Doge, and the seat of the government with offices and prisons.
The Giant’s Staircase was once a ceremonial entrance to the palace. It was guarded by the Roman gods Mars and Neptune and it was built between 1483 and 1491. The staircase connected the courtyard to the inner lodge.
The Scala d’Oro or the Golden Staircase got its name from the magnificence of the decoration with white and gold stucco. The ceiling was covered with vibrant paintings. Its decorations illustrated the power of Venice over the seas and the virtues necessary for good government. The staircase provided a grand entrance for nobles.
The Atrium Square Salon was the living room right off the golden staircase. The Square Atrium allowed access through the door with a large porthole in its center to the Anticollege room.
The Anticollege room served as a waiting room for important guests of the Doge. The “net” served to protect the very valuable paintings on the ceiling from water damage and humidity.
The Guariento Room once linked the Armory by a staircase and it now housed a fresco painted for the Hall of the Great Council by the Paduan artist Guariento around 1365. A fire almost completely destroyed it in a fire in 1577. The remains were rediscovered under the large canvas of II Paradiso which the artist Tintoretto was commissioned to paint for the same wall. Guariento’s fresco also depicted Paradise.
The Chamber of the Great Council was a huge room, 174 feet by 82 feet wide. It contained works by various artists. It was the largest and most majestic chamber in the Doge’s Palace. Meetings of the Great Council were held in this room. This council was the most important political body. It was made up of only Venetian males that were 25 years and older.
The Senate Chamber was also known as the Sala dei Pregadi because the Doge asked members of the Senate to take part in the meetings held here.
The Chamber of the Navy Captains (or Sala della Milizia da Mar) was made up of 20 members from the Senate and the Great Council. It was set up in the 16th century. These members were responsible for recruiting crews for Venice’s war galleys.
The State Censors were set up in 1517. Their main job was the repression of electoral fraud and the protection of the state’s public institutions.
The Council of Ten was established in 1310 and consisted of ten people. Their authority covered all of daily life. This council was said to be ruthless and their sentences were handed down quickly after secret meetings!
Hall of the Compass (or Sala della Bussola) was named for a large wooden compass rose. This compass rose once stood on the floor. It served as a reception area for those who were summoned by the magistrates.
We walked across the Bridge of Sighs that connected the Doge’s Palace to the New Prisons. It was built in 1614. The view that was a prisoner’s last look on their way to a cell.
The Bridge of Sighs from the outside.
Cells in the prison that connected to the Doge’s Palace.
The Armoury had over 2000 pieces that included those that belonged to the Council of Ten and also King Henri IV of France’s armour.
After we finished up at the Doge’s Palace we visited St. Mark’s Basilica right next door.
The Basilica was built in the 9th century and rebuilt between 1063-1094. It was made to house the body of St. Mark the Apostle. It had a Greek cross base with five domes. In 1807 it became the Cathedral of the city.
St. Mark was buried in the crypt below the main altar of the Basilica.
The heavy vaults and domes were surrounded by gold mosaics.
These four horses also called Triumphal Quadriga were made of copper and originally they were placed on the facade of St. Mark’s. They were moved inside for protection. Replicas of the four horses had replaced the originals.
After touring the first floor we climbed the steps to the second level and had a different view of the Basilica.
Some men were doing some restoration in the Basilica.
From this second level we walked onto the outdoor terrace that had views of St. Mark’s Square and the Grand Canal.
When it was high tide there was water in St. Mark’s Square and surrounding walkways. Also, along some canals the steps were underwater.
After a full day we enjoyed a bottle of our Verona wine and chips in one of the sitting rooms at our hotel.
