Castles · Tour
The Door a Guard Opens: Casanova's Cell, the Archives, the Attic
Venice was the oldest republic in the world, and the machinery that kept it running was not in the rooms with the paintings. This route goes behind them. A guard opens a door in the Doge's Palace and the group walks into the working side of the building: the secret archives, the administrative offices, the torture chambers, and the attic, where the highest-security cells were, including the one Casanova was held in. The usual state rooms are still part of it, and the tour finishes next door at St Mark's Basilica, so both landmarks are covered in one go.
What's included
- Torture chamber
- Hall of the Great Council
- Skip-the-line access to St. Mark's Basilica (12€)
- Special access to the Doge’s Palace Secret itineraries
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- New Prisons
- Expert Walks of Italy tour guide
- Secret archives
- St. Mark's Basilica
- Bridge of Sighs
- Skip-the-line Doge's Palace tickets
- Casanova’s prison cell
Itinerary
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P.za San Marco, 52, Venezia
Arrive 15 minutes before the start. The guide holds a green Walks sign. The meeting point is the Correr Museum, Piazza San Marco 52, under the portico just outside the museum entrance.
Palazzo Ducale
With a guide who works on Venetian art and history, skip-the-line access to the Doge's Palace and straight through to the parts nobody else sees. A guard opens a door and the hidden side of the palace starts: the cell where Casanova was held, the account of how he got out of it, and the archives, where the business of keeping secrets was conducted. The hidden council rooms explain the system of checks and balances that kept the oldest republic in the world standing. The rest of the palace is covered too, the great audience rooms, the halls with the Veronese and Tintoretto paintings, and the private apartments of the Doge. The route also crosses the Bridge of Sighs into the New Prisons. Small group.
St. Mark's Basilica
The last part is a guided visit to the most important church in Venice, St Mark's Basilica. The architecture is East and West on the same building, and the guide covers how a good number of the treasures inside it arrived here by means that would not survive an audit.
P.za San Marco, Venezia
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Due to Doge's Palace regulations, children under the age of 6 are not permitted inside the secret itineraries and therefore cannot take this tour.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
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- No refund will be provided if high tide prevents certain parts of the tour, but adjustments to the route will be made for client safety and comfort.
- If access is restricted due to private events inside the Doge's Palace, we cannot be held responsible. This is a situation beyond our control. No refund will be issued.
- This tour is not suitable for people who are claustrophobic.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Guests should be prepared for a moderate level of physical activity, including standing for extended periods and climbing stairs, which may not be suitable for travelers with certain health conditions or mobility limitations.
- All guests must supply their full name that matches a valid ID at the time of the booking. Should you fail to provide these, your reservation will be canceled. Name changes are not permitted.
- St. Mark’s Basilica can be subject to closures due to particular liturgical celebrations, especially during major religious holidays such as Easter or Christmas. In the event that the Basilica is closed, explanations will be provided from the outside.
- Please note: This tour offers multiple options. Take a moment to choose the one that best suits your interests.
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
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