Secret Itineraries Tour, Doge’s Palace, Venice

Of all the cities I’ve ever been, Venice is my absolute favourite. Each time I go, I visit my favourite haunts, of course. But I also try to discover and experience as many new aspects of the city as possible, whether it’s a remarkable building, a surprising piece of history, or a hidden gem overlooked by most visitors.

Early morning outside the Doge’s Palace

The Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge’s Palace combines all of the above and was certainly one of the highlights of my last stay in the Queen of the Adriatic.

Entrance to the Secret Itineraries Tour

The Pozzi (the Wells) – the original prison in the Doge’s Palace

One of the Pozzi cells

Corridor in the Pozzi

Staircase leading up to the second level of the Pozzi

One of the Pozzi cells, complete with original wooden cladding

Anyone who has been inside the Doge’s Palace will have crossed the Bridge of Sighs and entered the New Prisons. But these were just the most recent form of incarceration created by the ancient rulers of Venice. The Secret Itineraries Tour takes you behind normally closed doors to see some of their forerunners, including the infamous Piombi, up in the Palace’s attics.

Salla della Tortura (Torture Room or Chamber of Torment)

Entrance to Casanova’s original prison cell in the Piombi (The Leads) under the roof of the Doge’s Palace

Casanova’s original prison cell

Above the Doge’s Palace’s Sala del Maggior Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council)

The Armoury under the roof of the Doge’s Palace

Under the eaves of the Doge’s Palace

View of the Riva degli Schiavoni from an attic window of the Doge’s Palace

Corridor in the Piombi

Cell door in the Piombi

Casanova’s second prison cell, up in the Piombi

The Secret Itineraries Tour also takes you to several other rooms that lay behind-the-scenes of the Venetian Republic – both literally and it terms of where the power was – and remain off limits to most visitors even today.

One of the unassuming offices that once helped control the Venetian Republic

Office of the Cancelliere Grande (Grand Chancellor)

Salla della Cancelleria Segreta (Chamber of the Secret Chancellery)

Each member of the Cancelleria Segreta had their own cabinet…

… Which were a bit like a forerunner of a school locker!

Looking back up the Salla della Cancelleria Segreta

This post was inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, which is Doors and Windows for a secomd week running, and Jennifer’s One Word Photo Challenge, which this week is Attic, and Jo’s Monday Walk.

Sala dei Tre Capi (‘Room of the Three Heads’) – Judges of the Venetian Republic

A far cry from the Pozzi or the Piombi

Sala degli Inquisitori Stato (State Inquisitors Room)

The reverse side of what is a secret door from the Sala della Bussola

If you’re the sort of person that loves a bit of fun and history on your travels, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal (on WordPress or Bloglovin’), or through my website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr?

Back in the more public parts of the Doge’s Palace

And if that’s not enough for you, the first three Jaspa’s Journey novels will soon be available to enjoy, both as ebooks and in paperback! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!