Compared to King Ludwig´s Fairytale castle Neuschwanstein which is perched on the idyllic mountains in Füssen, Doge´s Palace or Palazzo Ducale is situated in the middle of the floating city of Venice.Surrounded by endless lagoons and canals, connected with almost 300 bridges, this majestic Venetian Gothic style palace is a true architectural masterpiece in the north of Italy.

At first I have no interest to take the tour of this place because of Corona, but it was raining hard so we took this as a side plan until the weather gets better. I´m grateful for the rain or else I would have regretted not being able to see this gorgeous palace.After seeing the rainbow island of Burano, the glitter and shining gold, silver and beige tones of masonry of this grand palace really made our trip quite complete and memorable.

Satisfaction guaranteed, when you go inside, you can´t help but to gaze up, admire the fabulous ceiling details of the palace! Once I´ve seen this place, I have learned so much about the art, history and culture of the old Venice.

This grand palace is the residence of the high and mighty Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the government of venice.It was built in 1340 and became a museum in 1923 and one of the museums run by Fundazione Musei Civici de Venezia or MUVE.

Walking through the tour made me realize why Venice is hailed as an eternal city. Considering the amount of artistic decorations here, this is the right place for everyone. A visit to this important building is much valuable than sitting in the Gondola cruising the canals or eating Gelato! Venice´s Doge´s Palace is truly a place worth visiting.

What can I say, so much history, so much intricate grandeur and each room really took my breath away.The Doge’s Apartments are all uniquely beautifully decorated with works of art by Veronese, Titian and Tintoretto that depict the city’s history and distinct culture.

For a while I get tired of looking up but then once we enter another room, the same exquisite details confronted me. Sighing, I realized that past era must be a lovely time, with all the Carneval and magical masquerade balls that is happening throughout the city. So much mystery, so much to tell as well.

The last doge was Ludovico Manin, who abdicated in 1797 when Napoleon Bonaparte’s soldiers entered Venice, thus marking the end of the ancient Republic.It is really a special feeling to see the rooms, throne halls where famous rulers sit and talk, the gathering halls where they held large banquet feasts, the cold prison dungeons, and walking through the bridge of Sighs with the beautiful lagoons outside.

It´s likea time travel, crossing the boundaries of time and history.

I have previously searched this place and when I saw it with my own eyes, I was totally convinced. Even if you only have a day to spare in Vanice, it is worth seeing this place. The tour was very organized and the length is not too long , around 1,5 hours , to bore the children. Entrance to this palace is a bit costly, from 13Euros to 25, but then I am sure that its worth every penny.

Taking this tour is the only way as well to walk thorugh the Bridge of Sighs–the solely bridge in Venice where the prisoners have their last “Sigh” before they face their deaths and executions.

In 1998, this palace was listed in the Unesco World Heritage Site.All in all, Palazzo Ducale had been the residence of 120 Doge´s and ruers of the old republic of Venice.The palace was partially destroyed by a fire and was rebuilt between 1172 and 1178, as was the Piazza San Marco. During this period, the Palazzo was used as a fortress and prison.After seeing the generous amounts of Weapons and Armory of the Palace, we finished the tour by checking the dungeon cells. It brought me chills since you can really sense the dampness, coldness and how horrible this place is.

I have read that Giacamo Casanova, the famous lover of Venice, was the only man to escape the Doge’s Palace prison by climbing onto the roof of the palace in 1756.

My favourite was the the Chamber of the Great Council since it reminds me so much of the Antiquarium in Munich´s Residenz. Also known as the Maggior Consiglio hall, where over 1,000 people would go to vote to decide the future of the Serenissima.

Behind the Doge’s throne, is occupied by the longest canvas painting in the world, Il Paradiso of Tintoretto.

After the tour, I marveled on the palace´s courtyard. Even on the outside, there are still many things to see with the church of St. Mark in the background.

After seeing the Palazzo Ducale, you cannot resist to see another masterpiece just beside it–the Piazza de San Marco.

Until then, in Italian, they say it well with ” Arrivederci!”