Venice was a republic and it had an elected head of state. This person was called the Doge. Unlike the republics we know today the Doge served for life. They were elected in a complex voting system and there was a Doge from 697 to 1797. The Doge lived in the castle after it was built in 810.
it was rebuilt in 1340 and was modified and extended many times through the centuries. Inside is a massive collection of paintings, sculptures and armaments. The building itself is a work of art with frescoes, painted ceilings and other architectural delights. It boasts the largest oil on canvas painting in the world, the largest room not supported by columns in Europe.
These doors are not to be messed with
The stairway into the museum was built to impress
Lots of stairs
Go to the light
While climbing the stairs it is OK to admire the sculptures and regain your breath
There are ample to view
The first room wows with a gilded ceiling
In fact everything that is not a painting is covered in gold
A stone mantle piece
Room after room of very ornate decorations
A sundial on the wall
Venice
At this point there is more frame than painting
There were nobles that acted as the council and they would sit here during important ceremonies
There was lots to look at
The chairs wrapped around the room
But everyone got a something to look at
Many of the paintings were allegorical
The Doge himself
Heros and Saints accompanied by all sorts of mythical creatures
The hall of justice, if you were called here it was never good
The Doge also got to slip into some old historical events
This is the letter box that citizens could put letters into it to anonymously report crimes
Full sized bronze horses
Wepons
Armor for the horse and a helmet with a hook?
Nice hat indeed
Stabby implements
A great bronze
Shooty implements
Have abs will travel
Looking out the window
Very detailed bronze piece
One serious family tree
A blunderbus
An early machine gun
The hats are off
A very old fresco being renovated
Back tot eh gilded ceiling style
Behiond us is the largest oil on canvas painting in the world at 53 meters by 25 meters. It is housed in a huge room that could accommodate 2000 noblemen
The Doge would preside over the council here every Sunday
Even though this room was huge, it was still packed with oversized paintings
A trip of sculptures at the far end
I saw a dog!
Another dog looks like it want to bite this creepy little kid
Next door even more
Battle scenes were a favorite
Gilded humans and birds
Neck pain is a side effect
They had a classic Hieronymus Bosch painting of
Scary stuff
Tre stuff of nightmares
Right after that painting we were off to the dungeons
Low ceilings and low lighting
Locked up
A very small door
We abbreviated this part of the tour
This is called the bridge of sighs
Prisoners being led tot he dungeon could look out these windows and see the canals of Venice one last time
Maybe the last time
More epic paintings of dogs
Little ones too
We are free, having escaped the dungeons
Back to the long hallway
St Mark's chapel the Doges personal chapel
We pass the clocktower with getting apprehended
Leaving the palace in our dust
This jazz band gave us great cover
The two sententials in the square let us pass
The winged lion was distracted by the seagul
Onto a water taxi we go
Passing under many ridges
To the train station
Raise the flag to sweet freedom
Huzzah!
Oh my goodness what is going on with the trains?
It is all flowers and easy riding all the way home
Goodbye to Venice
Two men rowing
That must be a hell of a work out
