Photo: Ducal Palace Venice Italy

The Ducal Palace, the domes of Saint Marks Basilica and a panoramic view of Saint Marks Basin in Venice, Italy.

The Ducal Palace, the Palazzo Ducale or the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy is located close beside Saint Mark's Basilica, (the Basilica di San Marco) and the Bacino di San Marco (Saint Mark's Basin). The impressive Gothic Renaissance palace, a white and pink marble building was the home and centre of government for the doges of Venice.

Both the Doge's Palace and Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice have been added to and renovated over the centuries. The Ducal Palace is erected on a 9th century fortress built to protect the doge of the time. The present building was started in the 1300s, although a number of fires did much damage and the reconstruction continued into the early 15th century.

The doges ruled over Venice for over 1000 years, and lived in luxury and opulence. As the doges were elected for their ... continue below the picture...

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... lifetime, they had time to add paintings and sculptures to enjoy for a long while, and these treasures accumulated over the years from doge to doge.

The round domes of St. Mark's Basilica make quite a contrast to the more austere roof of the Palazzo Ducale but the blue water of Saint Mark's Basin is a fitting border to these magnificent edifices.

Palazzo Ducale in the Piazza San Marco, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe.