Visiting the Doge's Palace is one of the most exciting things that you can do while you're in Venice. You can see the Senate's Chamber, the Porta della Carta, and the St. Mark's Basilica.
The Senate's Chamber
Founded in the 13th century, the Senate was the oldest public institution in Venice. It evolved into a body that could supervise political and financial affairs. It was also responsible for the election of the Doge. Members of the Senate were generally drawn from the most powerful Venetian families.
The Great Council Chamber in the Doge's Palace is the place where the Senate meets to discuss matters of public concern. It is surrounded by amazing works of art. The ceiling decoration is divided into 25 compartments, each containing a carved panel and allegories. The ceiling is gilded by young Veronese.
The Grand Council Chamber is 53 meters long and 25 meters wide. It was renovated in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was later graced with paintings by Alvise Vivarini, Gentile da Fabriano and Carpaccio.
The Avogadori di Comun are responsible for ensuring that laws are applied correctly and that the principle of legality is preserved. They also perform other duties including venerating the Virgin Mary and the saints. They are also involved in verifying the legitimacy of marriages inscribed in the Golden Book.
The Chamber of the Great Council
Originally decorated in the 14th century, the Chamber of the Great Council in Doge's Palace was remodeled in the 1580s. Its ceiling is adorned with a frieze of 72 portraits of the first 76 doges. In addition, there is a painting by Jacopo Tinto entitled "Triumph of Venice," which covers the entire width of the hall. This painting is considered to be one of the largest canvas paintings in the world.
The chamber is also home to the Armoury, which contains a vast collection of weapons, including halberds, swords, and shields. This room has a beautiful view, and children will love it. It's also an interesting place to visit, as it includes a variety of odd weapons.
The chamber also has portraits of the remaining 72 doges, which are found in the Sala dello Scrutinio. These were added after the fire of 1577. The painting of "Triumph of Venice" by Jacopo Tinto replaced the one that was damaged in the fire.
The Porta della Carta
Located in the Saint Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace is the official residence of the Doge of Venice. This palace was built in the Renaissance period. The Palace's facades are carved in white and rose-coloured marble and finished with oriental cresting. Its interior is decorated with frescoes and stucco.
The Porta della Carta is the main entrance to the Doge's Palace. The name of the gate may have been derived from its proximity to the cartabum, the archives of the state. It was built in the first half of the 1400s for Doge Francesco Foscari. The Porta della Carta is crowned by a statue of Justice.
The Palace is also famous for the hundreds of sculptures that decorate its walls. These include the Four Tetrarchs, which is a representation of four Roman rulers. There are also portraits of the first 76 doges, which were commissioned by Tintoretto. The original sculptures of the Doge and Lion were destroyed in the fury of Napoleon in 1797.
The St. Mark's Basilica
During the 11th century, a Byzantine style church was built to house relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist. The church was later transformed into a crypt and is still used as a burial ground. The crypt is adorned with mosaics. This makes it a popular tourist destination.
Doge's Palace is a must-see attraction in Venice. The building is the former residence of the Doge of Venice and served as a political hub of the Republic of Venice. The Palace was renovated and restructured after fires in the 16th century. The opulent interior contrasts with the gloomy prisons that once held the city's prisoners.
The Senate's Courtyard contains two well-heads from the 16th century. This is where the senate would gather before government meetings. The room features frescoes by Veronese and Tintoretto.
The Great Council Hall was the seat of the largest political body in the Republic of Venice. This was the place where the fate of the state was decided. The building was damaged in 1574, but was restored in the 16th century.