Scala dei Giganti

Giants' Staircase

Date

1484-1501

Parts

Mars
Neptune

Work Type

Notes

Used for formal entrances, the Giants' Staircase is guarded by Sansovino's two colossal statues of Mars and Neptune, which represents Venice's power by land and by sea. Members of the Senate gathered before government meetings in the Senator's Courtyard, to the right of the Giants' Staircase. At the opposite end of the Renaissance façade, the wide Censors' Staircase leads visitors to the loggia floor above.

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

View on Wikidata.

See Also

Related Fieldwork Collection

Medieval and Renaissance Venice

Venice and Its Lagoon

View of staircase and facade of palace, facing east from north end of courtyard
View of staircase and facade of palace, facing east from north end of courtyard
View looking up from foot of stairs, facing east
View looking up from foot of stairs, facing east
View of staircase and palace facade, facing southeast from northeast corner of courtyard
View of staircase and palace facade, facing southeast from northeast corner of courtyard
View looking up at staircase and palace facade, facing northeast from north end of courtyard
View of east facade of Foscari porch, facing west from the top of the Giants' staircase
Exterior: View from the Top of Giants Staircase
Exterior: View of Inner Courtyard
detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
detail: Neptune, courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
detail: courtyard, Scala dei Giganti
view from Scala dei Giganti