Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Doge’s Palace served an important role in the public life of Venice. It was the seat of successive rulers and governments. Initially, its served as defensive, but over time became the object of representation.
The original palace was destroyed by fire in 976. It was rebuilt in the eleventh century, but since then it has been subject to a number of expandability and reconstructions. For example, the Doge Sebastian Ziani changed the destiny and functional layout throughout the palace. On his order was built separate building of Old Procuratie to which senior officials were transferred. Another profound change occurred in 1340, when it was added to the building of the Great Council. The building is distinguished by its facade with two-storey, openwork arcades.
Currently, the Doge’s Palace stands out with three floors that surround three sides of the Renaissance courtyard. The ground floor and the first floor is decorated with arcaded loggias, while the walls on the second floor was covered by plates with two-color stone. Between the windows placed numerous reliefs. The whole crowned with openwork attic.
It is worth mentioning that one of the palace’s wings connects the famous Bridge of Sighs with new prison.
We must also remember the fact that after the loss of independence, the Doge’s Palace was the seat of the French, then the Austrian. In the years 1811-1904 in parts of the rooms was located the Marciana Library. Today it is a museum Museo dell’Opera. Also available to visitors are frescoed rooms of the palace, and Sala del Maggior Consiglio, where is a retinue of 76 doges of Venice. One of the seats were covered with blackness. This was done to commemorate the Doge Martin Falier, decapitated in 1355 for plotting against the republic.