Discover the Historic Reality of Venetian Justice | Doge's Palace Prisons
What's Makes the Doge's Palace Prisons so Special?
- Learn About the Lives of Famous Prisoners: From the infamous lover Giacomo Casanova to the revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, the prison has held many famous inmates over the centuries. Discover their untold stories!
- Step into History: The Doge's Palace Prisons are an integral part of Venice's history for centuries. Step into the past and experience the harsh conditions of the prisoners.
- Explore the Architecture: Their architecture is a stark contrast to the lavish décor above. Marvel at the engineering and design that went into creating these underground cells.
- Connect with the City's Culture: The Doge's Palace Prisons offer a glimpse into the city's culture and way of life, and the justice system during the Venetian Republic.
Doge’s Palace Prison Timings
Doge’s Palace Prisons is open to visitors every day of the week. While the opening hours for Prisons are the same as the Doge's Palace, there are certain time slots for Doge’s Palace Prisons & Secret Itineraries Tour for an optimal experience.
The tour lasts for about 1.25 hours and starts from:
8:30 AM - Sundays
9:00 AM - All days of the week
Language: English, Italian, and French.
Check the Detailed Opening Hours for Doge's PalaceHighlights of Doge's Palace Prisons
The Prison Cells
The highlight of the Doge's Palace Prisons is, of course, the prison cells themselves. Visitors can explore the dark and narrow cells, many of which are covered in graffiti left by former inmates.
The Bridge of Sighs
One of the most iconic features of the Doge's Palace Prisons is this bridge connecting the interrogation rooms in the palace to the prison cells. The bridge gets its name from the sighs of prisoners who, upon crossing it, caught their last glimpse of the beautiful city before being locked away.
The History
The Doge's Palace Prisons are steeped in history, and visitors can learn about the various prisoners who were held there, including famous figures like Giacomo Casanova and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
The Architecture
The prison cells are located on the lower levels of the Doge's Palace and offer a stark contrast to the opulence of the palace's upper levels. The architecture of the prison cells, with their narrow passages and small cells, is fascinating to explore.
Incredible views
Despite the grim surroundings, visitors to the Doge's Palace Prisons can enjoy poetically stunning views of the surrounding canals and rooftops from some of the prison cell windows.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Doge's Palace Prisons
Doge's Palace Prisons were a complex of prisons located in the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy. They were used to house prisoners of the Venetian Republic from the 16th to the 18th century.
Yes, you can visit Doge's Palace Prisons today as part of a tour of the Doge's Palace museum. The prisons are located on the ground floor of the palace and are accessible to visitors.
Life for prisoners in Doge's Palace Prisons was harsh and often brutal. They were kept in small cells with little light and ventilation, and were often subjected to physical and psychological abuse.
The prisoners in Doge's Palace Prisons were mostly political prisoners, including those accused of treason, espionage, and conspiracy against the state. However, common criminals were also housed in the prisons.
Many famous prisoners were held in Doge's Palace Prisons, including Giacomo Casanova, the legendary lover and adventurer; Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and explorer; and Silvio Pellico, the Italian poet and writer.
Doge's Palace Prisons were closed in 1922, after almost four centuries of use. The building was then converted into a museum, which opened to the public in 1923.
Doge's Palace Prisons are significant for their historical and cultural importance, as they offer insight into the political and social climate of Venice during the Venetian Republic. They also represent the harsh realities of prison life in the past.
You can get these tickets on Doge's Palace Tickets.
Unfortunately, the Doge's Palace Prisons are not entirely wheelchair accessible. The prisons are located in the basement of the palace, and there are several flights of stairs that need to be navigated to access them. There are certain areas that are indeed wheelchair accessible. It's recommended to inquire beforehand.