Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) stands on the waterfront of Piazza San Marco in the San Marco district of Venice, in Italy's Veneto region. For centuries it served as the residence of the doge and the seat of the Venetian Republic's government, courts and prison. Its Gothic facade of pink and white patterned stone, carried on an arcade of pointed arches, is one of the most recognisable exteriors in the country. Visitors enter through the Porta del Frumento and climb to the loggias overlooking the inner courtyard before following the route through the state apartments. The Scala dei Giganti and the gilded Scala d'Oro are the ceremonial staircases, and the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, the Great Council Hall, is the palace's centrepiece. Tintoretto's Paradiso covers the end wall above the doge's seat and ranks among the largest oil paintings in the world. Other rooms include the Sala del Collegio and Sala del Senato, decorated with ceilings by Veronese and Tintoretto, and the armoury with its collection of historic weapons and armour. The route continues across the Bridge of Sighs into the old prison cells on the far side of the Rio di Palazzo, which gives a sense of how the republic's justice system worked. A standard visit takes roughly two to three hours, and longer for those who use an audio guide and read the room labels. The palace opens daily at 9AM, and the first entry slot is the quietest of the day. Queues at the ticket desk build from mid-morning, and the Great Council Hall is most crowded between about 10:30AM and 3PM when tour groups arrive. Late afternoon entry, with last admission at 6PM, is calmer but leaves less time. For photography, the courtyard and the loggias facing the lagoon offer views toward San Giorgio Maggiore, and the Bridge of Sighs can be seen from the small windows inside the prison passage. Adult admission is around €30, with reduced prices for children and free entry for those under six.