The cruise ship's departure time was set as 1pm, giving us the morning to spend in Venice.
In anticipation, I had already reserved the Secret Itinerary tour of the Doge's Palace online. However, due to certain circumstances, we were unable to partake in the tour.
Fortunately, we were still able to visit the parts of the Doge's Palace that are open to the regular public.
After the ticket office, the first place you entered is the courtyard.
And it is MAGNIFICENT.
If ever you get the chance to visit the Doge's Palace, take a few moment in the courtyard, look around, and just take everything in.
The portico. The clock. Even the walls themselves. All in white. Almost lace-like in the amount of details. Unbelievable masonry.
The courtyard is empty save for the two bronze wells. Look at the rich motifs all around the well. Amazing. The darkness of the bronze definitely pops against the white surroundings.
Scala dei Giganti ("Giants' Staircase")
The gods Mars and Neptune are standing guard.
Scaffolding seems to be a common sight in Venice. There are restoration in process everywhere you turn. It does make sense, given Venice's propensity for floods and proximity to salty water. Let's just hope that the rate of restoration is outpacing the rate of deterioration. Fingers-crossed.
A few of the ground-level rooms exhibits the exemplary pillars and archways of the Doge's Palace from the various eras. You can see, up close, all the details that went into each pillar.Each tells a story. Whether it's historical or biblical, they are absolutely fantastic to look at.
My favourite piece in the exhibit. I believe this arch decorated the outward-facing colonnade of the palace. Look at the lion head at the base of each clover-motif. So cool. It must have been an amazing/intimidating sight for visiting foreign dignitaries
One of the Loggia - people deposit secret accusations through the monster's/lion's mouth. Not very secretive since the accuser have to sign the letters.
These secret mailboxes are scattered throughout the palace.
Hercules and Atlas - The entrance to the Scala d'Oro
Scala d'Oro ("Golden Staircase")
Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed in the rest of the palace. Let's just say you definitely won't be disappointed.
Most of the rooms are unfurnished but what remains (mostly the fireplaces and the ceilings) capture the Venetian exorbitance perfectly. The best room is probably the Sala delle Quattro Porte ("Room with the Four Doors"). Amidst the stucco reliefs, sculptural friezes of Roman gods/goddesses look down towards the visitors. Art depicting Venice personified and the glory of Venice decorate the walls. This room was designed to awe and it certainly delivers.
Views from the second floor windows.
Since the Doge's Palace is part residential, part governmental, we also saw the grande rooms where the various levels of the government met and the judicial courts are held, which eventually led us to....
The Prison
The views from the Bridge of Sighs.
The prison courtyard.
And that concludes my visit to the Doge's Palace.
Outside: the balcony where the Doge addressed the Venetians. See the colonnade below? Don't you just love it?
In anticipation, I had already reserved the Secret Itinerary tour of the Doge's Palace online. However, due to certain circumstances, we were unable to partake in the tour.
Fortunately, we were still able to visit the parts of the Doge's Palace that are open to the regular public.
After the ticket office, the first place you entered is the courtyard.
And it is MAGNIFICENT.
If ever you get the chance to visit the Doge's Palace, take a few moment in the courtyard, look around, and just take everything in.
The portico. The clock. Even the walls themselves. All in white. Almost lace-like in the amount of details. Unbelievable masonry.
The courtyard is empty save for the two bronze wells. Look at the rich motifs all around the well. Amazing. The darkness of the bronze definitely pops against the white surroundings.
Scala dei Giganti ("Giants' Staircase")
The gods Mars and Neptune are standing guard.
Scaffolding seems to be a common sight in Venice. There are restoration in process everywhere you turn. It does make sense, given Venice's propensity for floods and proximity to salty water. Let's just hope that the rate of restoration is outpacing the rate of deterioration. Fingers-crossed.
My favourite piece in the exhibit. I believe this arch decorated the outward-facing colonnade of the palace. Look at the lion head at the base of each clover-motif. So cool. It must have been an amazing/intimidating sight for visiting foreign dignitaries
One of the Loggia - people deposit secret accusations through the monster's/lion's mouth. Not very secretive since the accuser have to sign the letters.These secret mailboxes are scattered throughout the palace.
Hercules and Atlas - The entrance to the Scala d'Oro
Scala d'Oro ("Golden Staircase")
[This is a PSA for all those visiting the Doge's Palace] The Scala d'Oro is a magnificent part of the palace. As such, it requires time and patience to fully appreciate. Please don't try to climb and look up at the same time. Climb, stop, climb. Don't try to be a hero. Or you might end up embarrassing yourself in Venice. [End of message.]
The stuccoes on the staircase ceiling is, for the lack of a better word, divine.
Unfortunately, photographs are not allowed in the rest of the palace. Let's just say you definitely won't be disappointed.
Most of the rooms are unfurnished but what remains (mostly the fireplaces and the ceilings) capture the Venetian exorbitance perfectly. The best room is probably the Sala delle Quattro Porte ("Room with the Four Doors"). Amidst the stucco reliefs, sculptural friezes of Roman gods/goddesses look down towards the visitors. Art depicting Venice personified and the glory of Venice decorate the walls. This room was designed to awe and it certainly delivers.
Since the Doge's Palace is part residential, part governmental, we also saw the grande rooms where the various levels of the government met and the judicial courts are held, which eventually led us to....
The Prison
The views from the Bridge of Sighs.
The bridge is, in fact, split into two separate corridors. In order to see both views (lagoon and city), one has to walk the bridge twice.
The prison courtyard.
And that concludes my visit to the Doge's Palace.
Outside: the balcony where the Doge addressed the Venetians. See the colonnade below? Don't you just love it?
Ciao ciao Venezia!
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