Museum of Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)

Piazzetta San Marco, 1 - tel 041/271 5911

Official residence of the Venetian Dogi from the 9th century until the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, Palazzo ducale is the most remarkable Gothic monument in Venice. Originally a castle, the palace was damaged by several fires and always restored. It offers the visitors some of the most works of art and architecture in Italy, as well as frescoes and paintings by some of the most famous 17th century Venetian artists, too many and all important to be listed here. If you are short of time, the highlights are:
interior - the Sala dell'Anticollegio and its four Tintoretto paintings; the Sala del Collegio and Veronese's ceiling frescoes; the Sala del Maggior Consiglio and Tintoretto's giant Paradiso; the small prison complex and the views from the loggia.
exterior - Bridge of Sighs, the statues on the three corners, the Porta della Carta and the Pietra del Bando.

01 November - 31 March 09.00-17.00
01 April - 31 October 09.00-19.00

Admission: € 11.00 for a combined ticket giving access to the Correr Museum "Risorgimento" Gallery, the National Museum of Archaeology, Libreria Sansoviniana (the State library), the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo, the Museum of the Glass-making Art of Murano and Museum of Lace of Burano: a great value for money!

Vaporetto lines: 1, 82 - S. Marco or S. Zaccaria