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The Doge's Palace begins its history during the IX century as a fortress castle, during the years...

...several fires destroyed the original building and all the others that were lately built.
The present building dates back to XIV - XV  century: the front is dressed in Verona's Pink Marble and Istrian Stone, the archway hides a porch surrounding the side on St. Marks Basin and the Square and everything is hold up by some big columns (on the ground floor). The result is an art opera "very light" in Gothic Style.

Be careful, do not pass below the columns on the ground floor corner, it's bad luck!!!

Since the early days of the Serenissima Republic, the Doge's Palace has been Site of the Government, Justice Hall and Home of the Doge.
For centuries this building has been the only one to be privileged with the title of "Palace", whereas all others were called "Ca''" (mansion).
The life, the power and the Serenissima's history are reflected on the paintings and mosaics that cover walls and ceilings of the palace, to testify the power and richness of the city.

The main door is called "Porta della Carta" from the XV century. From  the door you can access the "Ca' Foscari Arch" and then onto the inner courtyard where you can see the massive "Scala dei Giganti", an opera of Architecture Antonio Rizzo (XV century) that was used during official ceremonies.

To be mentioned is the "Scala d' Oro", an opera by Jacopo Sansovino, built between 1554 and 1558. The ceiling and its arch are embellished with stuccoes by Alessandro Vittoria.

The moust famous Hall is the Maggior Consiglio, here are reproduced the first
76 Doges of Venice and an entire wall is taken by "Il Paradiso" by Tintoretto (1588 - 1592).

DID YOU KNOW THAT... there is a tour of the secrets, available only on reservation? The tour provides the visit of usually closed to the public areas and arrive to the prisons (from one of these jails Giacomo Casanova escaped in 1775!!!).