One of the genuine benefits of visiting a city like Venice in early spring is the relative absence of other tourists. It is a beautiful city with a fantastic heritage and it is no wonder that millions of people flock to see it. It is also no wonder that the locals, despite a dependency on the revenue from tourism find the hordes of people that swarm over the city during the summer months quite hard to bear.
By going in March it was possible to avoid the crowds and the queues and visiting the Doges Palace was so much more enjoyable as I was able to walk in without having to queue at all. I could also get lots of photos without having to wait ages for people to move out of the shot.
The interior of the palace was as grand as you would expect, it being the hub of the wealthiest and most powerful business and political centre in renaissance times. Rich wood panelling on the walls, marble floors, elaborate frescos, ornate staircases, archways and windows, and sculptures depicting opulence and plenty everywhere you look.
The palace was not so much a residence but a council chamber where the affairs of state were administered and justice meted out to those who would destabilise the empire. Locals were encouraged to denounce anyone who might pose a threat to stability (see the "letter box" in my last post).
After a court hearing in extravagant surroundings convicted prisoners were then taken across the Bridge of Sighs to the prison on the opposite side of the small canal. Conditions within the prison were dire and convicts would likely never see the light of day again.
The selection of images above highlight the stark contrast between palace and prison.
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