Dungeons and Doges at the Palazzo Ducale in Venice

1 July 202522 June 2025

During the time of the Venetian Republic, the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) was the center of government in Venice and served as the ducal residence. Today it is one of the central landmarks of Venice that takes its stately place in the most recognizable of piazzas in all of the world.

The gorgeous architecture of the Palazzo Ducale is strikingly noticeable as the vaparetto arrives from the Grand Canal. The pink hue of the building’s Verona marble is magnified by the sun setting in the horizon.

The rule of the Doge began in the 9^th century, where he took residence in a modest home on the Rialto. When a fire destroyed the property in the 10^th century, a new palace was built and relocated to the Piazza San Marco where it remains today.

This enchanted palace was originally designed in the Byzantine-Venetian style with facades facing the Piazetta. Over the years, it would suffer a series of fires that would result in multiple restorations. The palace’s design has evolved into a Venetian-Gothic style fortress overlooking St. Mark’s Basin. Visible today are its columned gallery, second floor loggia and arched windows in the upper floor.

Only a few of the original structures have survived over the years including the Porta della Carta. Once the ceremonial entrance into the palace, it displays the symbolic winged Lion of St. Mark with an open book as Doge Francesco Foscari kneels in front of him. The Doge was added in 1442, approximately 650 years after its initial completion.

Porta della Carta is translated as “The Paper Gate” and it was thought to be the location where petitions were submitted to the counsel for review. Other sources claim that it may have been where the archives of the state were stored.

The Porta della Carta leads into the courtyard through the Foscari Arch. Immediately, I noticed the Scala dei Giganti known as the Staircase of the Giants. Located at the top of the stairs are gargantuan statues of Mars and Neptune, who represent the gods of land and sea. The ceremonial crowning of the Doge was performed here. It was also the location where Doge Marino Faliero was beheaded in 1355 for attempting a coup d’etat.

The courtyard, known as the Cortile del Palazzo, is closed at the north side where once stood the Doge’s chapel. In the center of the square are two wells that date back to the 16^th century.

Once I had completed my self-guided tour of the Doge’s Palace, I patiently waited for a behind the scenes tour of the prisons and dungeons.

This additional tour, booked through Viator, began with a walk through the Ponte dei Sospiri, more commonly known as the Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1614, this enclosed walkway was the link between the Magistrate’s chambers and the holding cell to the prisons.

The phrase “Bridge of Sighs” was created by writer, Lord Byron referring to the prisoner’s last sigh as he takes his final glimpse of Venice and San Giorgio before his incarceration.

The Venetian judges were known for giving harsh sentences, which meant imprisonment in the inhumane confounds of the prison or an even worse punishment, depending on the offense.

The conditions of the prison were cruel and brutal, especially during the winter months. The prisoners who found themselves incarcerated at ground level were at a greater disadvantage due to the rising water and dampness. This area was reserved for the most heinous of offenses where disease and death was most common. The upper level prison cells were reserved for those who committed lesser offenses or came from prestigious families. After learning about the story of Casanova’s imprisonment and escape, we returned back to the Doge’s Palace for additional time to explore.

The historical museums and restored structures provide an insight to the prosperity and affluence of Venice at the height of its glory. Although the world has changed since the days of the Doge where Venice was a wealthy, vibrant city of commerce, there is no doubt Venice remains a treasure.

Have you visited Venice and taken the Doge’s Palace and Dungeons tour? What was your favorite part of the excursion? Or if there were additional tours or sights that you would recommend in Venice, what would they be? I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading my post about the Doge’s Palace and Dungeons tour! I wish you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)
Located next to St. Mark’s Basilica in St. Mark’s Square
Telephone: +39 041 271 5911

Hours of Operation: April through October, 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Admission: 16 Euros for a combination ticket which includes the Correr Museum; last entry one hour before closing
Vaporetto Stop: San Marco, San Zaccaria
Optional Tour: The Doge’s Palace which includes the prison (20 Euros)
Tips for Your Visit: No photos permitted inside; Purchase your ticket for the palace at the Correr Museum and you can bypass the long lines using the “Prepaid Tickets” entrance. Visitors may also purchase their tickets online 48 hours in advance by accessing their website. Always refer to the attraction’s website for the most recent information!

Where to Stay:

The Centaur Hotel
San Marco
Campo Manin 4297/a
30124, Venice (Italy)
Telephone: +39 041 5225832

Where to Eat:

Osteria Enoteca San Marco
Calle Frezzeria, 1610
30124, Venice (Italy)
Telephone: +39 041 528 5242

The charming, rustic interior provided a laid-back, yet elegant atmosphere. Grilled scallops with pea, broad beans and bacon was my starter course followed by Bucatini carbonara with asparagus. The meal was sensational and the service splendid.

What to Eat:

Aperol Spritz is made with Prosecco (bubbly) wine, Aperol and a splash of soda.
Bellini’s were invented at Harry’s Bar and is my favorite brunch drink made with Prosecco and peach puree.
Seafood, especially sea bass. Black goby is a local fish from the lagoon and another local dish is fried sardines.
Vegetables from the Rialto Market
Instead of pasta, Venice serves rice and polenta. Rice and peas (risi e bisi) is a very popular dish.
Appetizers such as Venetian meat and cheese (the salami is amazing!) or cicchetti (similar to Spain’s tapas) are small servings that are the right portions. Baccala Mantecato is a topping for cicchetti made of creamed white fish.
Polpetta are deep fried meatballs
For lunch, the locals will order Tramezzino (sandwich) which is triangular in shape.
Dishes served with Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Sauce) are a delicacy and the squid ink is very dark, so it may come as a surprise when your dish arrives.
Fritto Misto (Fried Fish and Seafood) can also include fried vegetables.
Venetian cookies (Buranelli – from the island of Burano and Sfogliatine) can be purchased at the local bakery.

What to Read:

Donna Leon has a series of crime novels all based in Venice.
The Glassblower of Murano, by Marina Fiorato
A Venetian Affair, by Andrea di Robilant
The City of Falling Angels, by John Berendt
Dead Lagoon, by Michael Dibdin
A Thousand Days in Venice, by Marlena De Biasi

Photo Guide for Venice:

The Bridge of Sighs leads to the waterfront dungeons and is best photographed from the Ponte della Paglia.
Burano is one of the islands within the Veneto was once a community of fishermen. The colorful homes can seen from a distance as the vaparetto approaches. The colors of the island and reflections make memorable photographs.
Piazza San Marco / St. Mark’s Square is the main meeting place in Venice to explore the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile and the Clock.
Pont de l’Academie translates as the Academia Bridge and is the second most popular bridge behind the Rialto Bridge.
The Rialto Bridge at Sunrise and Sunset; Take a trip on the vaparetto along the Grand Canal for some amazing photo opportunities.
Rivi degli Schiavoni is where the gondolas are “parked” with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background.
St. Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower in the square. Visitors can purchase tickets to ride up to the top for spectacular views of the lagoon and nearby buildings.
If you can visit during the Venice Carnival celebration, you will have many opportunities for some amazing, dramatic photos of people dressed in costume.

A beautiful view of the Doge’s Palace showing the cornice of spires and merlons adorning the top

Looking into the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

A View of Venice from the former Venetian prison

What Makes European Hotels Different than US Hotels?

4 December 202122 September 2024

I remember my first experience staying in a European hotel in Venice. It was a cute little boutique hotel perfectly located between St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto near Camp Manin. Checking in, the staff were fantastic and offered great suggestions for restaurants and booked ahead transportation to the hotel when ready to depart. I collected my belongings and began making my way towards my room on the second floor.

I have to admit that I was surprised to find several differences between European hotels from those in the US. Here is what you can expect when staying at some of the hotels in Europe, unless you are staying in a luxury hotel or one that is a US chain-based accommodation.

Most of the rooms begin on the next level up from the check-in desk called a 1^st level room. It is quite possible there are no rooms at the “ground level”.
The rooms can be quite small in comparison as well as the showering facilities.
The beds are smaller than those in the US, similar to a twin size. When booking a room for two beds, the small space between each (just inches) may surprise you. Many times the hotel can add a connector between the two beds to convert to a larger size.
Boutique hotels rarely have elevators, so you may find yourself climbing a flight or two of stairs. If you have heavy luggage, or multiple bags, you may want to consider asking for assistance.
When booking your hotel, you want to make sure that you have a private shower if you do not want to share with other travelers. It is common for some European hotels to have rooms where showering facilities are shared.

Now that you know some of the unique characteristics of European hotels, you can consult the hotel’s website to confirm the amenities and location of your room and contact the hotel directly for special requests. Happy Hotel Hunting!

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Exploring Venice in Vegas at the Venetian

29 January 201921 September 2024

Italy is well represented in Las Vegas with its themed hotels. You have Caesar’s Palace from Rome, the Bellagio from The Lakes Region and the Venetian from none other than the beautiful city of Venice. It’s only obvious that Venice would come to Vegas with its history of hosting the first casino. And you can’t forget about Venice’s past reputation for secrets and scandals.

We could not believe the view from our suite with a full size view of the glittering Trump Tower. The gorgeous staterooms decorated in leather and cherry were comfortable and expansive and I would have been happy to have stayed in and ordered their decadent room service.

The Venetian Hotel replaced the Sands which was made famous by the Rat Pack and the filming of the movie “Ocean’s Eleven”. After it was imploded in the mid-1990’s, the area was ready for a new hotel in town! In came the Venetian and a bit of Venice was brought to Vegas! With a stroll over the Rialto, a view of the Campanile (Bell Tower) from the Doge’s Palace and of course, the canals that provide gondola rides. As you stroll through the Palazzo, you will continue to catch glimpses of other Venetian attractions such as the clock tower that have a strong resemblance to Italy’s Venice.

But it’s the Palazzo that is the main attraction as the canals meander through the shopping area. Bridges cross over throughout the galleria and provide a network for the gondolas to pass under as lover’s kiss in hopes of good luck in their relationship. Such a romantic tradition! So as you watch the gondolas or decide to float along the canals for yourself, the setting will help you feel like you are truly in the city of Venice.

So what about all of the celebrity sighting you hear about in Las Vegas? If you came here looking for stars, search no further than the Venetian as this venue hosts the famous London-based wax museum, Madame Tussaud’s. Whether it’s sports, television or music, you can see today’s superstars such as Miley Cyrus, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Tiger Woods and George Clooney all waxed up and looking real. It will feel like going to an A-list party!

You may need to take a break from all of that celebrity action and re-energize at one of the restaurants at the Venetian. Make your way over to the Taqueria Canonita and enjoy a taste of Mexican Soul Food. And if you happen on Happy Hour (3PM to 6PM and later starting at 9PM to close), you may want to order a $5 margarita. There is plenty of seating, but if you want to relax along the canal and watch the gondoliers cautiously paddle their passengers through the waterways, the restaurant recommends that you book a table in advance.

SUSHISAMBA is a colorful restaurant that provides a unique dining experience, with an eclectic assortment of dishes and a generous happy hour of $6 caipirinhas which starts at 4PM to 7PM from Sunday to Friday. Choose from exotic sushi rolls, sushi or other exclusive fish made with a Peruvian, Brazilian flare. My favorite dishes are the Yellowtail Sashimi Ceviche and the Miso-Marinated Chilean Sea Bass, Roasted Organic Vegetables and Oshinko! And of course I cannot break myself away from ordering the Classic Mojito!

There is a wide, diverse selection of restaurants that are located near or within the Venetian. On Restaurant Row, one can find Aquaknox (Seafood), B&B Ristorante (Italian), Cafe Presse (Coffee and Pastries), db Brasserie (French), Delmonico Steakhouse (Steak) and Public House (Gastropub).

Restaurants are also located at the Grand Canal Shoppes for a scenic view of the gondolas. These eateries include Buddy V’s for American-Italian cuisine, Canaletto for Italian, Carlo’s Bakery, Casanova for Mediterranean, Grimaldi’s for NY-style pizza, i (heart) burgers, Mercato della Pescheria for Italian Seafood, French restaurant Paris Baguette, Table 10 (New American), Tintoretto Restaurant & Bakery, Trattoria Reggiano and Zeffrino for Italian Seafood.

After spending the afternoon at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, check out Canyon Ranch Cafe or Canyon Ranch Grill. Or if you are having a difficult time breaking away from the casino, there are several options available here as well, such as CUT (Modern American), Hong Kong Cafe (Asian), and JuiceFarm (Organic)

The Food Court is another option for fast, quick culinary offerings or B&B Burger and Beer, Lagasse’s Stadium (American), Noodles Asia, OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria, and Rockhouse (American) while more upscale dining locations include Carnevino (Steak), Grand Lux Cafe (Global Cuisine) with two locations in the Venetian and the Palazzo, LAVO (Italian), Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro. TAO Asian Bistro and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. The Venezia Tower includes French Restaurant Bouchon on the 10th floor.

Poolside one can order from two of Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant’s such as Riva at the Venetian Pool Deck and Solaro at the Palazzo Pool.

There is an exorbitant number of night clubs, bars and lounges in Las Vegas, so should one choose to stay within the properties of the Venetian, there are certainly a great number of options, some which are open 24 hours such as Bellini Bar and Fusion Latin Mixology Bar. Double Helix Wine Bar, Laguna Champagne Bar, LAVO Restaurant Lounge, Rockhouse, and The Lounge at SUSHISAMBA have set hours of operation as well as the TAO NightClub and LAVO Casino Club.

With Venice, all the world is a stage as you cross the Rialto or glimpse through the architecture of the Doge’s Palace, you never know where it may take you. So keep your eyes wide open and you may even catch a glimpse of your Cassanova.

What has been your experience visiting The Venetian in Venice? I would love to hear about your trip to Las Vegas if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section. List your favorite restaurants, hotels, casinos and more! Many thanks for reading about my visit to The Venetian and wishing you many Happy Travels!