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After walking through the Opera Museum (Museo dell’Opera) in the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), we entered the courtyard of the building. The Doge’s Palace is located off Piazza San Marco in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Venice, Italy.
Courtyard
The courtyard is surrounded by three wings of the building on the east, west, and south sides. To the north is Saint Mark’s Basilica. The south and west wings of the palace have their original Venetian gothic brick façades. The façade of the east wing was redesigned in a Renaissance style by Antonio Rizzo after a devastating fire in 1483.
In the center are two large wells supplying water to the complex, dating back to the mid-16th century. The courtyard was used for ceremonial events such as the coronation of the Doge as well as tournaments.
Foscari Portico
Bordering Saint Mark’s Basilica on the north side is the Foscari Portico (Porticato Foscari), which was the main entrance to the palace and leads to Piazza San Marco. Today it’s used as the tourist exit.
The southern façade contains a 17th century clock flanked by ancient Roman sculptures. There are a few more sculptures at the base.
On the western side is the Foscari Arch (Arco Foscari), built in the late 15th century. It’s made of Istrian stone and red Verona marble.
Giants’ Staircase
Opposite the Foscari Portico is the Giants’ Staircase (Scala dei Giganti). It was created by Antonio Rizzo between 1483 and 1485.
The staircase gets its name from the two marble statues at the top, placed there in 1567 by sculptor Jacopo Sansovino. To the left is Mars and to the right is Neptune. They represent Venice’s power on the land and sea.
Upper Loggia
On the upper loggia you can get a good view of the courtyard and see a few interesting items.
Next to a door on the eastern side is a small postbox that was used for anonymous denunciations. The text below the mouth of the box reads:
“Secret denunciations against anyone who will conceal favors and services or will collude to hide the true revenue from them”
Nearby is a plaque placed in the palace in 1362 during the papacy of Urban V. Written in gothic lettering, it’s a decree promising indulgences to people who give charity to the imprisoned.
From the upper loggia, self-guided tours of the Doge’s apartments and institutional rooms begin at the Golden Staircase.
