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: Paolo Veronese in Venice
Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio
Founded in the 9th century, the Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio is one of the oldest churches in Venice. The church, located in the Santa Croce district, in the Campo San Giacomo dall’Orio, is part of the same parish with the Church of San Stae and the Church of San Zan Degolà. SHORT HISTORY The church was erected in the 9th century and rebuilt in Byzantine style in 1225 by the noble families Badoer and Da Mula. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the church was remodeled in Gothic style. From this church, the pilgrimages to Santiago di Compostela began, as evidenced by the image of a man carrying a shell placed on the bell tower. The tower dates back to 1225. ART AND ARCHITECTURE The interior is characterized by the coexistence of various architectural styles: the bell tower and the basilica plan with three naves belong to the Byzantine style, while the roof is Gothic and the decorations of the main altar and the central nave are Lombard. On the counter-facade, we can find the organ and, underneath, three 16th-century paintings attributable to Andrea Schiavone: Appeal of the Apostles, Dispute of Jesus with the doctors of the Read more [...]
Church of San Barnaba
The Church of San Barnaba is a beautiful church in Venice, located in the district (sestiere) of Dorsoduro, in Campo San Barnaba. The church has a facade inspired by a Greek temple, and is famous for being featured in a few scenes of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. SHORT HISTORY The church was founded in 936, on the place of a previous church, San Lorenzo, which was probably built at the beginning of the 9th century. Because of the numerous fires, the Church of San Barnaba underwent several reconstructions, until it was finally consecrated on December 6, 1350. The current appearance dates back to 1779, when it was completed the renovation work began in 1749, on a project by the architect Lorenzo Boschetti. In 1810, in full Napoleonic domination, the parish was suppressed and the church was deconsecrated. It was later converted into a permanent exhibition space dedicated to the machines of Leonardo da Vinci. ARCHITECTURE The facade of the church, designed by Lorenzo Boschetti, was built in 1749 in a Classical style, with Corinthian style columns. The interior has a single nave, with six side altars, three on the right and three on the 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 [...]
