Inside Doge's Palace | Secrets, Splendor, and the Story of Venice

The public entrance to Doge’s Palace is through the Porta del Frumento, via the colonnade under the 14th-century waterfront façade. This floor houses public services, the Museo dell’Opera with architectural fragments and sculptures, temporary exhibition spaces in the former kitchens, and the old prisons known as the "Pozzi."

Once a hub where important people gathered for celebrations or officials conducted business inside, look up to admire the architectural details before making your way up the grand staircase from the courtyard.

Accessible through the Loggia, these opulent chambers boast stunning lagoon views and masterpieces by Tintoretto and Titian. You'll also see the grand halls where the Doge and government officials once worked on the second floor.

Throughout the first and second floors, you can explore various government chambers. The Great Council Chamber on the first floor is particularly noteworthy, boasting immense size and breathtaking Tintoretto frescoes.

Descend to the ground floor to witness Venice's impressive military might, used to protect the Republic throughout its history. Save the most intriguing for last! Explore the notorious prisons, including the cramped Pozzi Prisons and the scorching "Leads" under the roof.

Your tour begins here, where the political and judicial administration of the Venetian Republic operated. This system maintained social peace and harmony for centuries, despite lacking a written constitution.

A "liagò" is a glass-enclosed terrace or balcony. This corridor served as a meeting place for Great Council members during breaks. It features a mid-16th-century painted and gilded beam ceiling and 17th-18th century wall paintings. Notable sculptures include Adam, Eve, and The Shield-Bearer by Antonio Rizzo.

This room, restored in the 17th century, belonged to the Council of Forty, the highest appeal court in the Republic. Initially a single council, it later split into three for criminal and civil cases. The room retains a fresco fragment and 17th-century paintings.

Connected to the Armory, this room houses a 1365 fresco by Guariento, rediscovered in 1903 under Tintoretto’s "Il Paradiso." The fresco depicts Paradise with an enthroned Virgin and Christ, surrounded by angels, saints, prophets, and martyrs.

This grand chamber, one of Europe’s largest, hosted meetings of the Great Council, comprising male members of patrician families over 25. It also housed initial Doge elections. Post-1577 fire decorations include works by Veronese, Jacopo and Domenico Tintoretto, and Palma il Giovane. Notable is Tintoretto’s "Il Paradiso."

Originally meant for manuscripts, this room later hosted electoral deliberations. Decorated between 1578 and 1615, it features a rich ceiling by Cristoforo Sorte, military history episodes, and Doges' portraits. A triumphal arch honors Doge Francesco Morosini.

This chamber housed the Quarantia Criminal, dealing with criminal cases. It features 17th-century wooden stalls. The adjacent room, used as an archive, was likely lined with shelves and cupboards.

This chamber, created in 1553, ensured legal practices were observed. It now displays Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych, left to the Republic by Cardinal Domenic Grimani in 1523, depicting themes of temptation, sin, and redemption.

This waiting area, decorated in the 16th century under Doge Girolamo Priùli, features Tintoretto's ceiling paintings of Justice and Peace, and scenes by his workshop. Mythological paintings were replaced by biblical scenes from Girolamo Bassano and Veronese. Here's where the Republic ran the government and courts, keeping things peaceful and harmonious for centuries – even without a written rulebook!

Named for its ornate marble-framed doors, this antechamber features 16th-century decor by Antonio da Ponte and Andrea Palladio. Tintoretto's ceiling frescoes depict Venice’s history and virtues. Notable works include Titian's portrait of Doge Antonio Grimani and Tiepolo’s Venice receiving gifts from Neptune.

Ambassadors waited here before meeting the Full Council. Restored after a 1574 fire, it features Veronese's fresco of Venice distributing honors, Tintoretto's mythological scenes, and Veronese’s The Rape of Europe.

This room hosted the Full Council, which managed governance. Rebuilt by Palladio after a fire, it includes wood paneling and Veronese’s ceiling paintings celebrating Good Government and Venetian virtues, including the Battle of Lepanto and various Doges with religious figures.

The Senate met here to oversee political and financial affairs. Refurbished in the 1580s, it features Tintoretto’s Christ-centric works and paintings by Jacopo Palma il Giovane depicting Venetian history.

Set up after a 1310 conspiracy, this powerful tribunal’s chamber has a ceiling by Ponchino with Veronese and Zelotti, showcasing justice-themed allegories. A central painting by Veronese, now a copy, depicts Jove punishing Vice.

Named for its wooden compass with a statue of Justice, this room was an antechamber for those summoned by the Council of Ten. Decorated by Veronese in 1554 to highlight good government, it includes a large fireplace by Sansovino and connects to the Armory, New Prisons, and other judicial areas.

Founded in 1517, the State Censors acted as moral consultants to prevent electoral fraud and protect public institutions. The room features portraits by Domenico Tintoretto and armorial bearings of past censors.

Dating back to the 12th century, the Avogadori ensured laws were applied correctly and maintained the integrity of the patrician class. The room is decorated with paintings of the Avogadori venerating religious figures.

Venetian nobility was formalized in 1297, with further restrictions in the 16th century. This room housed the Golden and Silver Books, recording noble families, and features an 18th-century lacquered and gilded cupboard.

Home to the Milizia da Mar, responsible for recruiting crews for war galleys and the Provveditori all’Armar, who supplied the fleet. The chamber has 16th-century furnishings and 18th-century wall torches. The adjacent room, now a bookshop, was the Lower Chancellery of the Doge’s Palace.