Top 10 Facts about the Doge’s Palace

Photo by Benh LIEU SONG – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about the Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is one of the most prominent buildings in Venice, Italy. Also known as the Palazzo Ducale, this landmark is located on the grand Piazza San Marco.

This palace was the home of the ruler of Venice as well as the government headquarters for the Venetian Republic. The Doges reigned for more than 1,000 years.

These leaders were elected by the citizens of the former Venetian republic. There is a room in the palace that was used for voting purposes.

It is one of the most decorated buildings in Italy that was built around a courtyard. This palace was where the ruling council and ministers would meet. There used to be a prison in the basement of this palace.

Constructed in 1340, the palace has a rich history, impressive Gothic architecture, frescoed walls and grand staircases. In 1923, the Doge’s Palace became a museum.

A visit to this historical landmark cannot be avoided when in Venice. Additionally, it is conveniently located close to other impressive landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs.

Read more about it in the top 10 facts below.

1. The Doge’s Palace was initially built as a fort

Photo by Didier Descouens – Wikimedia

Doge’s Palace was not built to be the home of the Doges nor was it meant to be the seat of government.

It was built between the 10th and 11th centuries as a fortified centre. The fort had a main tower as well as other towers on the corners. This formed a true representation of Venetian Gothic architecture.

Later in the 12^th century, Doge Sebastiano Ziani renovated the fort into an elegant palace. Rulers that came after him further expanded the palace.

This palace is made up of several other buildings that were put together to create a fort. The Doge’s Palace is surrounded by a canal, high walls and huge corner towers.

The houses in the palace were used as public offices, courtrooms, prisons, the Doge’s apartments, stables, armoury, and other facilities.

2. Architect Bartolomeo Buon designed the Doge’s Palace

This impressive Venetian Palace is the works of architect Bartolomeo Buon.

He built it in 1438 and designed the Paper Gate as an entrance gate between the Doge’s Palace and the Basilica of San Marco.

Bartolomeo further had the gate adorned with spires, carved trefoils, and gorgeous statues. The winged lion is the symbol of Venice.

The gate is a splendid example of the Gothic style of architecture.

As to why it was named the Paper Gate, it is believed that the state archives were housed here.

Another theory is that it was where written requests to the government were submitted.

Other striking features in this palace include the sculpture depicting Noah’s Drunkenness.

3. The original structure was destroyed by fire

Photo by Riccardo Lelli – Wikimedia

Like most ancient buildings, wood was the main raw material used in construction. The palace was partially destroyed by fire in the 10^th century.

Renovation work was done by Doge Sebastiano Ziani, subsequently, this led to the complete change of the original layout.

He added two more structures one facing the Piazzetta that was used to house courts and legal institutions.

The second building that overlooked St. Mark’s Basin housed government institutions.

Another Doge that renovated the palace after it was razed down by fire was Ziani. He had the entire design of the entire St. Mark’s Square area changed.

A difference between the old and new palaces was Byzantine-Venetian architecture.  

In 1483, a ferocious fire broke out in the side of the palace overlooking the canal. Architect Antonio Rizzo was commissioned to do the reconstruction.

He introduced the new Renaissance architecture.

4. The Doge’s Palace was occupied by different administrative

Other than being the residence of the doges, the palace had offices for political institutions of the Republic of Venice. This changed after the Napoleonic occupation of the city in 1797.

Venice used to be under the rule of the French, the Austrian and finally in 1866 joined United Italy. During the occupation, the palace was used for administrative purposes and other cultural institutions.   

When the political regime changed, there were more government representatives, this led to the increase of offices to accommodate them all.

As a government office, the palace was decorated with art portraying the city’s history.  

The Maggior Consiglio hall was where more than 1,000 people would go to vote to decide the future of the Serenissima. It is here that you will see the world’s largest painting called “Paradise” by Tintoretto.

5. The façade of Doge Palace is symbolic

Photo by Didier Descouens – Wikimedia

The idiosyncratic look of this masterwork of Byzantine Gothic architecture comes from the architect’s genius idea.

He managed to suspend the gigantic solid bulk of the palace on a double arcade of trim, delicate Istrian marble columns.

This achieved a visual balance by creating a remarkably light-looking upper story. The was surface made to appear almost delicate with patterns of pink Verona marble perforated by graceful arching windows.

The façade of the palace resembles the city of Venice whose huge weight is supported by a foundation of wooden piles in the lagoon.

It is not known who the architects were, they came up with the design to impress guests from Constantinople.

6. Doge’s Palace is a mixture of architectural styles

This palace has combined different layers of architectural designs. Three distinct designs can be seen; Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance.

Inside the palace, you will find paintings by famous talented Italian artists like Titian, Tintoretto and Bellini.

Looking at the main façade of the Doge’s Palace facing the Grand Canal has an arcade composed of 36 short, thick columns, above which 71 columns form a gallery.

Gothic elements in this palace can be traced to the shapes of the arcade, gallery arches, and ornately decorated windows. The architect was able to blend Gothic and eastern architectural designs.

7. Visitors to Doge Palace get to cross the Bridge of Sighs

Photo by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT – Wikimedia

A popular attraction near the Doge’s Palace is the Bridge of Sighs.

The viaduct was built in a baroque style during the 17^th century to give access to the prisons of the Palazzo.

This bridge got its name from the noise heard from men that were incarcerated in the prisons. While being taken to the prison, they were given death sentences, the prisoners were able to see the lagoon one last time.

Another attraction at the Doge’s Palace is the Bocca di, Leone. This was a letterbox in the shape of a lion’s head.

Venetian citizens would write anonymous letters and drop them in the lion’s head. They reported against other Venetians that had done something illegal.

8. The oldest part of Doge’s Palace overlooks the lagoon

The oldest section of the Doge’s Palace is the wing overlooking the lagoon. This part is decorated with 14th-century sculptures believed to be the works of Filippo Calendario.

More decorations from the 14^th and 15^th centuries have been used to decorate the ground floor arcade of the palace.

Two prominent architects, Giovanni Bon and Bartolomeo Bon built the Paper Gate that was used as a ceremonial entrance.

9. The sculpture decorations in Doge’s Palace were made for the leaders

Photo by Didier Descouens – Wikimedia

The sculptures used to beautify the palace were made to impress the city leaders. They represented the obligation of the leaders to justice and virtue.

The paper gate is decorated with the symbolic figure of justice. There is also a big 15th-century statue depicting King Solomon.

10. The Doge’s Palace courtyard served as a large gathering place for the citizens

The Doge’s Palace courtyard was a multi-stage construction that started in the late 15th century to the mid-16^th century.

Rizzo was the main architect commissioned for this project. He was assigned the task after the courtyard was destroyed by fire in 1483.

In 1498, Rizzo fled the city after he was found guilty of embezzling the funds meant for the project.

Pietro Lombardo took over and did not change Rizzo’s plan. The completed structure depicts Venetian Gothic architecture.