More from Venice, where we spent most of the day back in St. Mark's Square, and found someone who could take a picture of the two of us. Proof that I, indeed, am here with Debbie.
We toured the Doge's Palace, and it was spectacular. The Doge is the name of the leader of the Venetian Republic or Empire (not sure when it was the one or the other) from about the 11th Century until the 18th. It housed the Doge but also served as the place for legislative and judicial functions as well. Think White House, Congress & Supreme Court all in one building. And very, very ornate (as all palaces, churches and the like are in Europe, or so it seems). This picture above is the interior courtyard. Note the gorgeous marble stairs leading up to the offices, guarded by Mars and Neptune.
The Doge's main room for greeting subjects.
The Council meeting room.
Fancy doorway between the two!
I think this was one of the earliest Doges. No beauty, is he?
But the coolest part was their prison. Like all good medieval despotic rulers, they had their own secret tribunals and brutal system of justice. Dan Brown writes books about this stuff. The picture above is taken from inside the enclosed bridge that leads from the palace to the prison. It is called the Bridge of Sighs because the view above is the last one the prisoner would ever see of the outside world.
"Capacity: 2" for those who don't read Italian. Gulp!
Not a welcoming place. Glad to get out of there!
Posted with Blogsy
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