Scala dei Giganti di Palazzo Ducale

Welcome to the inner sanctum of the Venetian Republic, the courtyard of the Palatzo Dual, or as it is known globally, the Doge's Palace. As we stand here, we are stepping into what was once the most powerful half-acre in all of…

As we approach the Scala dei Giganti, or the Giants' Staircase, let your eyes scan the luminous quality of the material. This is Istrian limestone, a dense, white stone quarried from the Istrian peninsula that hardens over time…

At the summit of the staircase stand the two figures that give this site its name: the Giants. These colossal marble statues, carved by Jacopo Sanovino in 1566, represent Mars and Neptune. …

The broad landing at the top of the Scala dei Giganti was perhaps the most significant spot in the entire city. It was here that the solemn ceremony of the Doja's coronation took place. …

Turning our attention back to the center of the courtyard, we find two exceptional bronze structures that serve a practical yet highly artistic purpose: the wellheads. Crafted in the mid-sixteenth century by the gunsmiths Nicole…

Located near the edge of the courtyard, you will often find a rare surviving example of an old-style gondola, complete with its traditional cabin, or felse. This is a far cry from the sleek, open-air gondolas we see on the canals…

While the Scala dei Giganti was for the public and ceremonial eyes, the Scala d'Oro, or Golden Staircase, served as the formal entrance for those invited into the inner chambers of government. Located just inside the upper…

As we conclude our time here in the courtyard of the Doge's Palace, take one last look at the Scala dei Giganti. It stands as a silent witness to a thousand years of political ambition, artistic genius, and the unyielding spirit…