A quick history lesson...Venice was one of the most important, powerful, and wealthiest cities in Europe as a result of the East-West trade routes from the Far East to Europe. With the discovery of America and the new source of cheap goods, Venice's power ebbed but lived lavishly on it's aquired wealth during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Doge's Palace is where the Doge of Venice resided (think Duke of Venice)...It was built to show off the power and wealth of the Republic. The outside facade...
Doge's Palace is where the Doge of Venice resided (think Duke of Venice)...It was built to show off the power and wealth of the Republic. The outside facade...
Directly inside is this great courtyard...this was the most powerful half-acre of Europe for 400 years!
Once inside, it is pretty amazing...though pretty sparse! The moulding, ceilings, doorways, stairways, and even wallpaper is terribly extravigant and beautiful. The Palace contained living quarters for the Doge and his family, rooms for the local senate to meet (the senate had 120 members), the judical branch of the government, and a prison. There were several paintings by Tintoretto, one of which is the largest oil painting in the world (this is located on the wall over the Doge's throne, of course!). We got to tour the armory, prison, and the Hall of the Grand Council...where the entire nobility met to elect senators and the Doge. Overall, it was pretty amazing...again, no pictures :(
Thankfully, we just happened to walk by when there was NO line...so we decided to go in! Go us!
Speaking of being lucky...just prior to our tour of Doge's Palace we went to St. Mark's Basilica (again, no pics)...we arrived pretty early and there was already a HUGE line! IN THE SUN!!! We were not super excited about this prospect...I remembered my handy Rick Steves book in my bag...SHORT CUT!!!! Apparently, they don't want people to wear backpacks into the Basilica...so there is a handy FREE bag check just around the corner (REALLY) and they give you the claim ticket and you BYPASS the terribly LONG line!!!! I really felt bad for the folks that waited in line with their backpacks just to be denied entrance! Thank you Rick Steves!
It kind of makes you feel like you know what you are doing! Since then, you can bet that I bring that dopey book with me everywhere!
Ciao a tutti!
Speaking of being lucky...just prior to our tour of Doge's Palace we went to St. Mark's Basilica (again, no pics)...we arrived pretty early and there was already a HUGE line! IN THE SUN!!! We were not super excited about this prospect...I remembered my handy Rick Steves book in my bag...SHORT CUT!!!! Apparently, they don't want people to wear backpacks into the Basilica...so there is a handy FREE bag check just around the corner (REALLY) and they give you the claim ticket and you BYPASS the terribly LONG line!!!! I really felt bad for the folks that waited in line with their backpacks just to be denied entrance! Thank you Rick Steves!
It kind of makes you feel like you know what you are doing! Since then, you can bet that I bring that dopey book with me everywhere!
Ciao a tutti!
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