Ducal palace

On the left side of San Marco’s Basilica one finds the Palazzo Ducale, a beautiful example of Venetian Gothic and one of the most eminent masterpieces of Renaissance art. Built originally in the 9th century to resemble a fortified castle, it has since been destroyed three times over by fire; its present incarnation was constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries. In the history of Venice the palace has played an important role as the place of the government, the palace of justice and the residence of the Doge (the governor of the city).

The first floor of the building was once occupied by the Chancellery as well as offices occupied by lawyers, censors and the Navy. On the second floor were the Grand Council chamber, the Ballot chamber and the Doge's apartments. On the third floor was the Sala del Collegio, where foreign ambassadors were received, and rooms used by government bodies such as the “Council of Ten”. The building also contains the Bussola chamber, where citizens could submit written complaints, as well as the Sala dei Tre Capi and the State Inquisitor Room.
Perhaps the most spectacular room is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, originally the meeting place for the legislature. This huge space is lined on the walls as well as the ceiling with paintings; one of these- Tintoretto's vast Paradise- is the largest painting on canvas in the world.

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