The Doge’s Palace, the centre of Venetian power, residence of the doge and home to the judiciary, this is where the governance of the city took place. Visually, it is the perfect example of Venetian gothic architecture, as Ruskin put it: the perfect fusion of East and West. What we see now is the third reconstruction of the Palace, dating back to the 14th century. The original nucleus was built in the year 828, just after the body of saint Mark’s had been transported into the city from Alexandria; the building was then rebuilt and expanded in the early 12th century.
Unlike all other seats of ruling power, like fortresses and castles, the Palazzo Ducale is not built for defensive purposes, but merely to achieve aesthetic beauty, such was Venice’s confidence that no one would ever come close to attack it. The imposing balcony you see facing the basin of Sain Mark was built in 1404, at the top of which stands the figure of Justice, the major symbol ruling over Venice.
