Buy tickets & tours:GetYourGuide Commanding the waterfront at the edge of Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace is one of the most emblematic buildings in Venice and a masterpiece of political symbolism, architectural finesse, and artistic ambition. For nearly a thousand years, this palace was the beating heart of the Venetian Republic: the residence of the doge – the elected ruler of Venice – and the headquarters of the Republic’s government, courts, and diplomatic apparatus. Facing the lagoon and connected directly to the St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace stands where political authority, religion, and maritime power converged. Behind its delicate tracery and seemingly weightless arcades lies a long and sometimes tumultuous history of fire, reconstruction, diplomatic intrigue, artistic patronage, and elaborate civic ritual. Short History of the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) The story of the Doge’s Palace mirrors the story of Venice. Unlike most states ruled by monarchies, Venice developed a system with an elected doge, a complex web of councils, and a political hierarchy designed to balance power, prevent tyranny, and safeguard commercial interests. The palace reflects this ideology in stone. Early Beginnings (9th-12th centuries) The origins of the Doge’s Palace date back to the Read more [...]
Tag: Jacopo Bassano in Venice
Church of San Giorgio Maggiore
There are many churches in Venice, and many are beautiful, but few impress like the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. It may be the place, because not many churches have their own island, or it may be the bell-tower, probably second in height after the one in the Saint Mark’s Square, but we can easily believe that, among all, the inspiration of Andrea Palladio matters probably the most. SHORT HISTORY In 982, the Doge Tribuno Memmo donated the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to a benedictine monk, who will establish here a monastery. The church, built five years later, from brick and wood, will last until 1223, when it will be severely damaged by an earthquake. The Doge Pietro Ziani will fix it, only to retreat to the island a few years later. In 1109, the relics of St. Stephen will be brought here from Constantinople, and the annual celebration held on 26 December, on the saint’s day, will become one of the most popular Christian holidays in the Venetian calendar. The church we see today was begun by Andrea Palladio in 1565 and completed after his death, in 1610. The one who finished the project was, apparently, Vincenzo Read more [...]
Il Redentore
When you are looking at the Giudecca Island, from Zattere, your eyes are attracted by the splendid creation of Andrea Palladio, Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore or, commonly known, Il Redentore (The Redeemer). The church impresses at first from the distance, thanks to its massive structure, but only in front of it you will be able to discover the details that complete one of the most valuable architectural creations of the Venetian Renaissance. SHORT HISTORY After the plague epidemic of 1575-1577, that killed over 50,000 Venetians, the Senate of the Republic decided to build a church to celebrate the end of the scourge and to thank the Divinity. The mission was entrusted to the great Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, who was to begin the construction in 1577 and to leave it, after his death in 1580, to Antonio da Ponte, who would complete it many years later, in 1592. After the church was finished, the Venetian Senate established that every July, a pontoon will be built to link Zattere with the Giudecca island. In time, this tradition will become an important celebration for the Venetians, known as Festa del Redentore. ARCHITECTURE Considered the most beautiful church built by Palladio, Read more [...]
