St. Mark's Square Prison Palace: Entry Ticket

Power and punishment

The Doge's Palace was the seat of Venetian government for centuries, where the Doge held court, councils debated policy, and the machinery of the Republic's vast trading empire turned. Connected to the Palace by the famous Bridge of Sighs lie the prison cells where those who crossed Venice's rulers faced judgement. This ticket provides access to both.

The Palace

The Palace's grand chambers display the wealth and ambition of the Venetian Republic. The Grand Council Hall contains Tintoretto's "Paradise", one of the largest oil paintings in the world. The Doge's private apartments, council chambers, and ceremonial rooms preserve the settings where Venice ruled its maritime empire.

The Bridge of Sighs

The enclosed bridge connecting Palace to prison earned its romantic name from Lord Byron, who imagined prisoners sighing at their last glimpse of Venice through its small windows. Walking across it yourself, you see the view the condemned once saw.

The prisons

The prison cells, both the older "Pozzi" and newer "Piombi", show the darker side of Venetian justice. Casanova famously escaped from the Piombi. The contrast with the Palace's grandeur above makes both more memorable.

Book your Doge's Palace tickets

See where Venice ruled and punished. Book your Palace entry tickets today.