Palazzo Ducale is a Gothic building located in Venice, Italy. It used to be the highest administrative organ and court of the Republic of Venice that existed from the 8th to the 18th century. It was also the residence of the Governor of Venice. Palazzo is to the south by the Venice Lagoon, to the west by Piazza San Marco, and to the north by Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco.

The current building was mainly built between 1309 and 1424. In 1574, Palazzo Ducale suffered a fire and was severely damaged. Although Andrea Palladio submitted a neoclassical design, the subsequent reconstruction continued the original Gothic style. But there are also some classicist features. For example, since the 16th century, Palazzo Ducale has been connected to the prison (Palazzo delle Prigioni) through the Ponte dei Sospiri.

Today, the Palazzo Ducale, Ponte dei Sospiri and the prison form a museum where visitors can admire the paintings of Venice painted by Tintoretto and Veronese.The arches, cloisters, and colonnade patterns make it hard to ignore. The LV totem is drawn from here.

Palazzo Ducale is like a nobleman sitting in the box of the Auditorium. With his unstoppable momentum, he looks at Venice ’s rich waters. It is also one of the must-visit attractions for Venice free travellers. Let us take a look at this Gothic building that has existed for 600 years.

​

The location of Palazzo Ducale is right next to Piazza San Marco and Campanile di San Marco, so you can try to walk or take a boat to Piazza San Marco.