10 Interesting Facts About Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace was built as a residence for the ruler of Venice, known as the Doge. It is one of the most architecturally outstanding historic structures in Italy and is a huge attraction for tourists. It is considered the finest example of Gothic architecture in Venice. The original structure was built in the 9^th-century, meaning that this building has a long and rich history. Here are 10 more interesting facts about this historically significant building.

1. Within Doge’s Palace there are administrative offices, grand stairways, Ballrooms, law courts, courtyards and even a prison on the ground floor.
2. The Palace has been rebuilt and reshaped many times but it was the construction of the Sala del Maggior Consiglio in 1340 that marked the renovations that shaped the palace as it is now. Under the guidance of sculptor and architect Filippo Calendario, the construction work continued at the palace until 1420.
3. Between 1574 and 1577, fires ravaged through the palace and led to significant renovations and extensions.
4. The palace is the property of the Italian State and in 1923 they entrusted the management of the building to the Venetian municipality so it could be run as a museum.
5. Doge’s Palace has been part of the Venetian museums network since 1997. The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia has managed this since 2008.
6. The wing overlooking the lagoon is the oldest part of the palace. Thw corners of this are decorated with sculptures form the 14^th-century. It is believed that these sculptures are the work of several artists, including Filippo Calendario, Antonio Bregno, and Matteo Raverti.
7. The main entrance to the palace is called the Porta della Carta and this is the link between St. Mark’s Basililca and Doge’s Palace. The entrance was created in the mid-1400s by two brothers called Bartolomeo and Giovanni Bon.
8. The interior of the palace boasts stunning artwork on the ceiling and the walls are made of stucco. There are also portraits of all of Venice’s doges with the exception of one doge who disgraced himself while attempting to overthrow the government.
9. There are many buildings that have attempted to replicate the architecture of Doge’s Palace, especially in the UK. Examples of these include the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem, Templeton’s Carpet Factory in Glasgow, the Wool Exchange in Bradford, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.
10. Guariento created the fresco that decorated the Chamber of the Great Council within the Palace. The work of other artists has been added at a later date.

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