Palazzo Ducale

Doge's Palace
Alternative Names
Pałaso Dogal
Date
founded 9th century; expansion 14th-16th century; expanded interior decorations from 16th-17th century
Material/Technique

A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Doge's Palace is an impressive structure composed of layers of building elements and ornamentation, from its 14th and 15th century original foundations to the significant Renaissance and opulent Mannerist additions. The structure is made up of three large blocks, incorporating previous constructions. The wing towards St. Mark's Basin is the oldest, rebuilt from 1340 onwards. The wing towards St. Mark's Square was built in its present form from 1424 onwards. The canal-side wing, housing the Doge's apartments and many government offices, was built between 1483 and 1565. In 1483, a violent fire broke out in the canal-side of the Palace, which housed the Doge's apartments. Antonio Rizzo was commissioned for the reconstruction, introducing a new Renaissance architectural language to the building. An entirely new structure was raised alongside the canal, from the Ponte della Canonica to the Ponte della Paglia. Works were completed by 1510, and in the meantime Rizzo was replaced by Maestro Pietro Lombardo, who reviewed the decoration of the façade and of the Giants' Staircase in the internal courtyard of the palace. In 1515, Antonio Abbondi, also known as Lo Scarpagnino, took over from Lombardo, finally completing the works by 1559. The 1565 erection of Sansovino's two large marble statues of Mars and Neptune at the top of the Giants' Staircase marked the end of this important phase. However, in 1574, another fire destroyed some of the second floor rooms, fortunately without undermining the structure. Works began immediately to replace the wood furnishings and decorations of these rooms. In 1577, when works had just been finished, another huge fire damaged the Sala dello Scrutinio and the Great Council Chamber, destroying masterpieces by artists such as Gentile da Fabriano, Pisanello, Alvise Vivarini, Carpaccio, Bellini, Pordenone and Titian. Reconstruction works were rapidly undertaken to restore it to its original appearance, completed by 1579-1580. The Doge's Palace was the heart of the political life and public administration of the Venetian Republic. When the Republic fell in 1797 its role inevitably changed. Venice was firstly subjected to French rule, then to Austrian, and ultimately, in 1866, it became part of a united Italy. Over this period, the Palazzo Ducale was occupied by various administrative offices and housed important cultural institutions such as the Biblioteca Marciana (from 1811 to 1904). By the end of the 19th century, the structure was showing signs of decay and the Italian government set aside significant funds for an extensive restoration. Many original 14th century capitals were removed and substituted and the originals now form the collection in the Museo dell'Opera. All public offices were moved elsewhere, with the exception of the State Office for the Protection of Historical Monuments, which is still housed in the building, but under the current name of Superintendence of the Environmental and Architectural Heritage of Venice and its Lagoon. In 1923, the Italian State, owner of the building, appointed the City Council to manage it as a public museum. In 1996, the Doge's Palace became part of the museums network which today is run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.

References

Lorenzetti, Venice and Its Lagoon: Historical-Artistic Guide (Rome: Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, 1961) as translated and with supplementary content by Taryn Marie Zarrillo, 2012/13

See Also
  • View from exterior loggia of basilica, at southwestern corner
  • View from southern exterior loggia of basilica, overlooking piazzetta
  • View from southern exterior loggia of basilica, overlooking piazzetta
  • View from easternmost point of southern exterior loggia of basilica, north of Palazzo Ducale
  • View of balcony on western facade from Piazzetta
  • View from steps to loggetta, southeastern area of piazza
  • View from northwestern end of piazzetta at southeast corner of loggetta
  • View from northern end of piazzetta, south of basilica
  • View from piazzetta inbetween southern facade of basilica, northwestern corner of palace, and Porta della Carta
  • View under northern end of portico along western facade of palace
  • View under northern area of portico along western facade of palace
  • View under portico along western facade of palace
  • View under portico at southwestern corner of palace
  • View from fondamenta at southwestern corner of Palazzo Ducale
  • View from fondamenta south of Palazzo Ducale
  • View from southernmost end of piazzetta, along fondamenta
  • View from fondamenta at southeastern corner of library
  • View from fondamenta, south of library
  • View from fondamenta, south of Zecca
  • View from southern area of piazzetta
  • View from central area of piazzetta, east of library
  • View from southeastern end of piazza at southwestern corner of basilica, east of loggetta
  • View from eastern area of piazza, northwest of campanile
  • View from southeastern end of piazza, next to southernmost flagpole
  • View from eastern area of piazza, west of basilica and north of campanile
  • View from eastern end of piazza, west of basilica
  • View from southeastern end of piazza, west of basilica
  • View from southeastern end of piazza, west of basilica
  • View from southeastern end of piazza, west of basilica
  • View from eastern end of piazza, at rightmost portal on western facade of basilica
  • View from steps to loggetta, southeastern area of piazza
  • View from southeastern end of piazza at southwestern corner of basilica
  • Interior: View of Sala della Quarantia Civil Vecchia
  • Exterior: View from Main Balcony Across Piazza San Marco
  • Exterior: View from Main Balcony Across Piazza San Marco and the Lagoon
  • Interior: View Down the Length of Corridor
  • Exterior: View of Giants Staircase and Interior Courtyard
  • Exterior: View from the Top of Giants Staircase
  • Exterior: View of Inner Courtyard
  • Exterior: View of Inner Courtyard
  • Exterior: View of Main Façade, Overlooking the Bacino di San Marco
  • View of fresco in private staircase leading from Northern end of Sala dei Filosofi
  • Interior: Sala di Scrutinio
  • Interior: Sala di Scrutinio
  • Interior: Sala di Scrutinio
  • Palazzo Ducale; Shield Room
  • detail: Doge Francesco Foscari kneeling before the Lion of St. Mark
  • detail: column capital, carved stone on Western facade
  • Southeastern corner of courtyard
  • courtyard
  • Southern face of Arco Foscari
  • Northwestern corner of courtyard
  • Northern end of courtyard
  • detail: sculpture on northern facade of courtyard
  • Western face of Arco Foscari
  • Southern face of Arco Foscari
  • detail: Mars, courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: Neptune, courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
  • detail: sculptural keystone of arch on western face of Arco Foscari
  • Lion of St. Mark on eastern facade above Scala dei Giganti
  • view of courtyard from Scala dei Giganti
  • view from Scala dei Giganti
  • Western face of Arco Foscari
  • detail: lower entrance to Scala d'Oro
  • view from eastern second level loggia
  • Western face of Arco Foscari and Manopola clock
  • detail: ceiling
  • detail: ceiling
  • Sala dello Scudo
  • Sala dello Scudo
  • Sala degli Scarlatti
  • detail: ceiling
  • relief over doorway
  • relief over doorway
  • Sala dello Scudo
  • detail: coat-of-arms of Ludovico Manin
  • detail: Lombardo fireplace, Sala Grimani
  • Sala Grimani
  • Sala Grimani
  • Sala Grimani
  • Sala Grimani
  • Sala Erizzo
  • Sala Erizzo
  • detail
  • detail: painting, Sala Erizzo
  • Sala degli Stucchi
  • Sala dei Filosofi
  • Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: ceiling, Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: ceiling, Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: ceiling, Sala degli Stucchi
  • Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: ceiling, Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: ceiling, Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: stucco decoration surrounding painting, Sala degli Stucchi
  • detail: wall, Sala dei Filosofi
  • detail of fresco in private staircase leading from Northern end of Sala dei Filosofi
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: fresco
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail: painting, Doge's private apartment, corner room
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: painting, Equerrie Room
  • detail: ceiling, Equerrie Room
  • detail: ceiling
  • detail: ceiling
  • View of top of Scala d'Oro and first floor facing North
  • Sala delle Quattro Porte (Room of Four Doors)
  • detail: ceiling painting, Juno Presenting to Venice the Insignia of Power. Clockwise from upper left: Padua, Verona, Istria, Brescia.
  • detail: ceiling painting, Istria on left, Verona on right
  • detail: ceiling painting, Jupiter Makes Venetia Queen of the Seas
  • detail: ceiling painting, Jupiter Makes Venetia Queen of the Seas
  • detail: ceiling painting, Venetia as Defender of Liberty. To the right: Friuli above, Treviso below.
  • detail: ceiling painting, Venetia as Defender of Liberty
  • detail: stucco ceiling above door
  • detail: stucco ceiling
  • detail: stucco ceiling on Western side of room
  • detail: stucco ceiling on Western side of room
  • detail: stucco ceiling on Western side of room
  • Sala del Collegio, Doge's Palace
  • detail: painting, Sala del Collegio
  • Sala del Collegio
  • Sala del Collegio
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Collegio
  • detail: painting, Sala del Collegio
  • detail: ceiling, Faith and Religion in the center
  • detail: ceiling, Faith and Religion
  • detail: ceiling centerpiece, Sala del Senato
  • Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • Sala del Senato
  • Sala del Senato
  • Sala del Senato
  • detail: Jacopo Palma il giovane's Prudence, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • detail: ceiling, Sala del Senato
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • detail: ceiling, Neptune being drawn by sea horses
  • detail: ceiling, Neptune being drawn by sea horses
  • detail: painting
  • detail: painting
  • detail: painting
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • Sala del Consiglio dei Dieci
  • detail: ceiling, Janus and Juno
  • detail: ceiling, Sala della Bussola (The Compass Room)
  • detail: painting, Andito del Maggior Consiglio
  • detail: painting, Andito del Maggior Consiglio
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • detail: fresco, Guariento Room
  • Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Chamber of the Great Council)
  • detail: painting, Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Chamber of the Great Council)
  • detail: Paradise, Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Chamber of the Great Council)