Exclusive Doge’s Palace Tour: Casanova’s Cell & the Bridge of Sighs

A visit to Venice gains new depth when you explore the Doge’s Palace beyond the classic itinerary, stepping into areas usually hidden from public view. This special-access experience, limited to just 20 participants, leads you through secret archives, administrative rooms, torture chambers, and the attic where high-security prison cells once held infamous figures such as Casanova.

You discover sections of the palace that even many Venetians have never seen, uncovering a darker and more intriguing side of history. For anyone fascinated by art, politics, literature, or scandal, the Doge’s Palace becomes an unmatched window into the workings of the world’s oldest republic. Here, layers of power, secrecy, and artistry reveal themselves room by room, offering a richer understanding of life in the Venetian Republic.

Guided by a Venetian art specialist and historian, you skip the lines and head straight backstage. After a guard unlocks a restricted door, you enter hidden spaces, view Casanova’s prison cell, hear the remarkable story of his escape, and learn how confidential records were stored and protected.

You also explore council chambers that embody Venice’s unique system of checks and balances, admire grand halls decorated by Veronese and Tintoretto, walk through the Doge’s private apartments, and finish by crossing the Bridge of Sighs into the New Prisons.