Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)

The Doge's Palace was originally built in the 9th century as a fortified castle. After being destroyed by many fires it was rebuilt in the 14th and 15th century. 

 This place was incredible! 

This would have been the Doge's residence and also the seat of the government.  It had military command, tribunals and prisons. 

 Inner Courtyard: Steps in background were where the Doge would be crowned.

(same steps) At the top are statues of Mars and Neptune. 

 The palace is right next door to St. Mark's Basilica, which would have been his private chapel.

 This "lion's mouth" would have been used for anonymous complaints about citizens. People would write their complaint and slip it in the mouth.

 Ceiling of a stairway...tons of gold!

Another incredible ceiling 

 This is a famous painting by Tintoretto, Paradise. It is one of the world's largest paintings.  

It is in the largest room in the palace. This room is also amazing because it is the first of it's size to have no supports for such a large room.  They say the Venetians knew how to build it because of the way a gondola is built.  

 Walking to the prison.

 In prison!

The Bridge of Sighs....Prisoners would look out these windows and sigh as they caught their last glimpse of the lagoon before they were executed. 

Pigeons

There are tons of pigeons here and they have amazing radar to when a crumb has been dropped.  Pigeons will flock by the what seems like hundreds.  

The kids have been dying to try to feed the pigeons out of their hands or have one land on them. 

 

 A little excited that it finally happened.

Doge's Armory.

We went to the Doge's Armory recently. They had all
sorts of medieval weapons and armor. It was cool.

 I liked this ax.

This was a cool knight.

The Tower of Frari

Some of Aaron's students have a project to document bells and bell towers in Venice, and he and David tagged along one day. They visited the Frari church, one of the most beautiful and largest in Venice. The bell tower is definitely one of the tallest structures in Venice and has some amazing views of the city.

David on the ascent up the bell tower.

A great view of the city.

Venetian buildings

The bridge out of Venice

That is the island of Lido (where we live) in the background.

The bells.

David was freezing up there because it was so cold.

Had to stop afterwards for a snack (squid)!

Auqua Alta

 One of my dreams came true! I REALLY wanted to see the "high water". So when I heard they were putting out the platforms I was all about heading over to Venice. It happens at high tide, so we planned to be over in San Marco square right at high tide.  I didn't realize that the vaporetto changed courses when there was high water. So we got off at a different stop and had to walk a bit, but it was awesome. I was the only one that wore rain boots, so that posed a bit of a problem, but nothing too bad. Shoes dry.

 a side street as we were heading to San Marco 

 The platforms!

 I was out walking in the water!

 Guess no lunch here today!

 A lot of tourists by the brightly covered boots.  

 The police even got into it.

Don't know if you can see the stairs that are covered.  This is a garbage boat.