Inside Doge’s Palace: Experience the Secret Passages

Doge’s Palace, or the Palazzo Ducale, is a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. For centuries, it stood as the political hub of the Venetian Republic, featuring the Doge’s residence, the seat of government, and court of law.

Today, it remains one of the city’s most iconic and unmissable landmarks. But inside Doge’s Palace’s grand façade and opulent halls lies a hidden world that few get to see, one filled with secrets, intrigue, and dark history…

Architecture of the palazzo ducale, Venezia

Take a Guided Walking Tour

With our Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour, you’ll step behind the scenes and gain exclusive access to areas that are normally closed to the public. We’ll enter the palazzo via a locked door and wander through hidden passageways, explore secret meeting rooms, torture chambers, and even the notorious prison cell where Casanova was held—and escaped.

Here are just a few of the fascinating places you’ll explore inside Doge’s Palace:

The best way to discover a new place is on a guided tour!

Casanova’s prison cell

Before he became a symbol of romance and mischief, Giacomo Casanova was a prisoner of the Venetian Republic—locked away in piombi, cramped attic cells beneath the palace roof. Reserved for special prisoners, this area was named after the lead sheets that lined the roof, making the cells unbearably hot in summer. On tour, we’ll visit the exact spot inside Doge’s Palace where Casanova famously plotted and carried out his escape in 1756.

Interested in learning more about Casanova? Our Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour includes entry to Ca’ Rezzonico, the grand Baroque palace he likely frequented. Explore on your own and get a glimpse into the lavish world of 18th-century Venice—filled with parties, intrigue, and romance.

You will get to uncover the hidden areas of Doge’s Palace

Secret archives

Also hidden from the public are the former administrative offices and archives of the Venetian state, once home to political correspondence, surveillance records, and confidential decisions.

On tour, one of our expert guides will walk you through Venice’s complex judicial system, offering insight into the roles of magistrates, legal processes, and how the prison system was structured inside Doge’s Palace. It’s a rare opportunity to understand not just where justice was administered, but how power was maintained behind the scenes.

Walk through hidden pathways while listening to stories about them.

Torture chamber

Linked directly to the prisons, it was inside Doge’s Palace that prisoners were interrogated, sometimes violently, before facing judgment. Also known as the Chamber of Torment, it’s a space that reveals the darker mechanisms of power in the Venetian Republic.

We cap our Secret Itineraries Tour to 20 guests, so you can explore these narrow, historic spaces comfortably, without feeling crowded.

and the best part… you have a local guide with you

New Prisons

In the mid-16th century, the Doge’s Palace complex was expanded with the construction of a new building across the canal to house both improved prison facilities and the chambers of the magistrates known as the notte al criminal.

The resulting New Prisons were designed to offer better conditions for inmates, with larger, more-ventilated cells and increased natural light. However, not all areas met these goals, especially those with enclosed corridors or cells facing the inner courtyard of Doge’s Palace.

Bridge of Sighs

Commissioned by Doge Grimani and built in the early 17th century, the Bridge of Sighs connects the interrogation rooms of the Palace with the New Prisons across the canal. Its name is linked to the idea that prisoners would cast one last look at the city’s beauty before being led to their cells, “sighing” at the loss of freedom. Though the story’s accuracy is unclear, it has endured, giving the bridge its lasting mystique.

Check out the views!

Hall of the Great Council

53 meters long and 25 meters wide, the Hall of the Great Council is not only the largest and most majestic chamber inside Doge’s Palace, but also one of the largest rooms in Europe. This iconic space was the political heart of Venice, where thousands of patricians met to govern and uphold the laws of the Republic.

Richly decorated by masters like Tintoretto, the hall culminates in his colossal painting of Paradise, which serves as a metaphor of moral governance: light, a symbol of divine wisdom, enters into the figure of the Doge, symbolizing his heavenly mission and guidance in making just decisions.

Sala della Scrutinio

Originally built to house manuscripts, the Sala dello Scrutinio became the chamber for Venice’s key elections, including that of the Doge himself. After a fire in 1577, it was elaborately redecorated with battle scenes, Doge portraits, and a triumphal arch honoring Doge Francesco Morosini, a symbol of Venetian pride.

This intricate hall is one of the highlights you’ll experience on the Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour—where expert guides bring Venice’s political history vividly to life inside Doge’s Palace.

Don’t forget to look up at all the details

Courtrooms

The Doge’s Palace housed key courtrooms, including the Chamber of Quarantia Criminal, a high criminal appeals court with both judicial and legislative powers. Established in the 15th century, it was staffed by members of the Senate. Nearby, the Chamber of the Magistrato alle Leggi, founded in 1553, oversaw the enforcement of Venice’s distinct legal system.

A masterpiece!

St. Marks Square

No visit to the Doge’s Palace would be complete without stepping into Piazza San Marco, the grand public square that has been Venice’s civic and ceremonial heart for centuries.

Surrounded by Venetian icons like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Campanile, the square has long been a gathering place for Venetians and visitors alike. Napoleon famously called it “the drawing room of Europe”—and once you stand beneath its arcades, with the lagoon shimmering nearby, it’s easy to see why.

The Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour provides a rare look into the hidden workings of one of Europe’s most fascinating former powers. Whether you’re a history lover, an architecture buff, or simply curious about Casanova’s great escape, this tour offers a unique side of Venice—beyond the postcards and guidebooks.

Join us on a guided tour!

FAQ: Visiting the Inside of Doge’s Palace

What’s Included?

• Special access to the Doge’s Palace including the Secret Passages
• Small group of 20 guests maximum
• Expertly guided walking tour
• Local English-speaking guide
• Headsets
• Ca’ Rezzonico ticket (self-guided visit)

Our expert local guides can answer all your questions

How Long is the Tour?

The guided portion of the tour lasts about 2.5 hours. After that, you are free to stay and explore the rest of Doge’s Palace at your own pace.

Is the Tour Suitable for Children?

Due to Doge’s Palace rules, we unfortunately cannot accommodate children under six years old in the Secret Passages.

Where Does the Tour Start and End?

The tour begins near the Doge’s Palace. Exact meeting point details will be provided in your confirmation email. It ends inside the Doge’s Palace, where you can continue exploring the general access areas on your own.

Is Ca’ Rezzonico included?

Yes. A ticket to Ca’ Rezzonico is included and can be used after your Doge’s Palace tour. Please note that Ca’ Rezzonico is closed on Tuesdays, so if your tour falls on a Tuesday, your ticket will be valid for the following day instead.

Step inside Doge’s Palace and uncover the stories, secrets, and hidden chambers that shaped the Venetian Republic. Book your Secret Itineraries Tour today!