SECRET ITINERARY OF THE PRISONS OF PIAZZA SAN MARCO
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Highlights
Discover the ancient Prisons of Piazza San Marco connected to the Doge's Palace by the Bridge of Sighs . One of the first prisons in Europe.
You will be accompanied along the secret itinerary where you will visit places never visited before : enter the torture room and you will see authentic instruments used in the past to make criminals confess!
You will discover that justice was administered by the Lords of the Night: the terrible Venetian police who monitored crimes and brought offenders to court!
You will descend into the cold cells and understand the lifestyle of the prisoners: what they ate, drank and where they slept.
Admire the original graffiti left by the prisoners and then, listen to the exciting escape of Casanova: the only one who managed to escape from the maximum security prison known as " Piombi" !
Listen to the stories and legends that still reside within these cells today. Along the route you will enjoy the explanation of the powerful "Council of Ten", composed of the highest exponents of Venetian politics that controlled justice in all Venetian domains.
Since the birth of the Republic , Venice has always been attentive to the administration of justice, which was proudly taken care of by its own judicial system, composed of courts, lawyers and magistrates. One of the main points was the operational police used to resolve brawls and punish the perpetrators of crimes.
Today the Palace , which overlooks the splendid Riva Degli Schiavoni , is home to an important Venetian cultural institution .
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PRISON PALACE IN PIAZZA SAN MARCO
The building, which is located in a very central position, was designed by the architect Antonio Da Ponte in 1589 , and was completed around 1614.
The Palace housed one of the oldest magistracies of the Republic of Venice, “ I Signori della Notte al Criminal ”: this important judicial body was made up of six members who represented the city's districts and who carried out police and surveillance tasks, as well as the investigation of trials.
Today the prison building is home to the Circolo Artistico degli artisti (Artists' Circle) which welcomes guests by offering various cultural experiences and concerts.
Visit to the secret itinerary of the Prisons of Piazza San Marco
Skip the line entry
Ducal Palace
What is there to know?
Languages: English, French and Italian. The tour can be multilingual
Departure: 10:00 - 11:00 - 12:00 - 14:00
Duration: 1 hour
For Covid-19 precautions, the use of a mask is MANDATORY. So, please bring it.
TO ACCESS ANY INTERIOR (MUSEUM, CHURCH, PALACE, RESTAURANT, LABORATORY ETC.) ALL PARTICIPANTS OVER THE AGE OF 12 MUST PRESENT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: -PROOF OF COMPLETE VACCINATION -PROOF OF FIRST VACCINATION ADMINISTERED AT LEAST 15 DAYS AGO -PROOF OF COVID-19 INFECTION IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS -NEGATIVE TEST CARRIED OUT NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE ACTIVITY
Unfortunately, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with walking disabilities.
Comfortable shoes are recommended.
Maximum 15 people per visit
The tour is not private, but can be shared with other participants.
Meeting point
Palazzo Delle Prigioni , next to the Doge's Palace in Piazza San Marco. Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time.
HOW TO REACH THE MEETING POINT
In Piazza San Marco, with the Doge's Palace in front of you and the Basin of San Marco behind you, go right, cross the Bridge (from where you can see the Bridge of Sighs) and then look left, you will see the entrance to the Palazzo delle Prigioni.
Cancellation policies
Reservations can be cancelled without any charge up to 24 hours before the service, online customer service every day from 9am to 6pm.
The tour may be cancelled in case of exceptional high tide (in this case the tour may be rescheduled for the following day otherwise it will be refunded).
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