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 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 the residence for the city government and even managed to visit the role of the premises where the republican councils used to hold meetings. We will learn about this world-famous building from this article.
Foundation and reconstruction
The Doge's Palace (Italy) began its existence in the X century, but the building was periodically subjected to devastating fires. Therefore, the structure in our time has a completely different look than the one that he had more than a millennium ago.
In the first years of its founding, the palace was a real fortress and acted as an object of strategic importance. A large moat was built around it, and huge watchtowers rose everywhere. In time it was alldestroyed to the ground by intense fire.
In the middle of the 14th 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 located 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 the secret police and the office were located here.
At the end of the 16th century, this structure was damaged by a new fire that completely wiped out its entire southern wing. After the Italian architects, it was decided to create such a palace that would inspire respect and awe to all foreign ambassadors. Thanks to this, it becomes clear why this Venetian attraction has such a luxurious decoration and impresses with its splendor.
External view of the structure
When you look at the Doge's Palace, one gets the impression 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 eye of any visitor.
All finishing works of the building were carried out mainly at the end of the 15th century. At this time, just the Gothic style was gradually replaced by an era of harmonious Renaissance. Therefore, the facade is dominated by architectural rounded shapes, shimmering in sunlight with different shades of marble.
The Doge's Palace has one detail that darkens its history. Here on the second floor, where the ninth and tenththe columns were built of red stone, the verdicts on the death pen alty were announced.
In the central part of the building there is a balcony, above which there is a sculpture depicting Justice. In the 19th century, the unification of the Venetian Republic and Italy was announced from this place.
Description of the palace
The style of the Doge's Palace is presented in different architectural directions. The first tier of the structure is specially made in such a way as to give the building a certain lightness, but this is only at first glance. The Doge's Palace is supported 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 is somewhat reminiscent of an overturned ship. In its inner courtyard there are several floors of beautiful galleries. You can go there through different gates, one of them is called Paper. They are so called due to the fact that local authorities once posted their decrees here.
In the north wing there are many statues of various famous philosophers, and also this part of the building in the old days served as the apartments of the Doge. Here, archangels stand in the corners, symbolizing war, trade and peace.
You can get to the second floor of the Venetian attraction through the Staircase of the Giants, on the upper platform of which the rulers were crowned. Here, winged lions stand everywhere, personifying St. Mark, considered the patron saint of the entire republic.
The halls of the Doge's Palace are an extraordinary and amazing sight. Here are locatedbeautiful paintings made by the best Italian masters, and many different unique architectural monuments from different times. Important government issues were discussed and sentences were passed in these rooms, but now they are of great interest to all connoisseurs of art and culture.
According to many tourists, the Doge's Palace has a very interesting location of its halls and galleries. The plan for its construction 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 procurators, so the walls and ceiling of this room are richly decorated, and the marble fireplace of this room is decorated with the coat of arms of the ruler Agostino Barbarigo, who in the old days submitted all of Venice. The Doge's Palace keeps 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.
Four Door Hall, College Hall, Senate Hall
The second flight of the Golden Stair leads tourists to the Hall of Four Doors. Its ceiling was designed by the great Palladio and painted by Tintoretto.
In another adjoining room, one of the walls is decorated with various mythological scenes, and one of the most dramatic paintings of the palace - "The Abduction of Europa" is in this room near the window.
Next comes the HallColleges, where the rulers and their advisers received foreign ambassadors, and also discussed the great deeds of the republic. This room contains 11 paintings by the great artists of that era.
In the next room, the ruler and his 200 assistants discussed various matters of international importance, so the room got the appropriate name - the Senate Hall.
Council of Ten Hall, Armory
In the Hall of the Council of Ten, meetings of powerful representatives of the city government were held, at which issues of national security were raised. In this room, the ceiling is adorned with two magnificent paintings by Veronese.
In the next room - the Armory, there is a mailbox that once served for anonymous denunciations. From there, a large wooden door leads to the Hall of State Inquisitors, and after it immediately goes the room where the torture was carried out, as well as the prison cells.
Hall of the Great Council
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 Great Council Hall is located in the southern part of the building and was once decorated with paintings by famous Italian artists, which, unfortunately, were destroyed in fires.
The painting 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 framed in gilded patterns.
Currently inthis room contains a complete collection of portraits of all the doges who ever ruled in Venice, except for Marino Faliero, who was executed for treason.
How to get to the palace for tourists?
The Doge's Palace is popular among travelers and admirers of all things beautiful at any time of the year, so it is almost impossible to buy tickets without a queue. In addition, this place can be visited by purchasing a Venice tour to see all the sights of this city.
But you should carefully study the scope of tickets, since not everything can include visiting the most secret places of the palace and the Bridge of Sighs, and they are just of the greatest interest to tourists. These rooms are part of a long tour that must be paid separately.
Opening hours and directions
During the period from April to October, the Doge's Palace is open for tours from 08:30 am to 19:30 pm, and during the cold season - from November to March, it closes 2 hours earlier. The entire inspection of the structure will cost approximately 20 euros per person.
It will not be difficult at all to get into the Doge's Palace. Any local resident will tell you where this building is located. It is located at the following address: Piazzetta San Marco, 2, San Marco 1, thus being between Piazza Petit San Marco and the pier.
Reviews
According to many tourists, this building produces more delight in real life than in photographs. It simultaneously has a noble, powerful and elegantview. When you are next to this architectural masterpiece, it seems that you become part of some secret of the ages.
The palace is fraught with so many small and interesting details that even if you walk in one place several times in a row, you will still see something new. The very atmosphere of this place attracts travelers from all over the world, making them indescribably delighted with everything they see here.
Interesting facts
It turns out that next to the palace is the largest prison in the entire city, which is separated from this magnificent building only by a narrow canal with a covered bridge.
This building is said to be the only one of its kind that was built without any architectural rules at all.
Interestingly, for many centuries, escaping from imprisonment in the palace was considered simply impossible. Everyone was sure of this until Giacomo Casanova was there. Together with his friend, he managed to be released from the second attempt. This incident was described in his memoirs.
This palace is depicted in a painting by the famous artist Francesco Guardi, which is currently in the National Gallery in London.
After visiting the palace, only bright and warm memories remain. It is certainly a very beautiful building. A tour of this building is reminiscent of a walk in 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 an opportunityvisit this magical place and enjoy the grandeur and grandeur of the Venetian Doge's Palace.
