The Doge’s Palace Prisons promise a trip into the dark yet captivating world of the palaces’ past.
Discover secrets lurking within the shadowy confines of the prisons and listen to intriguing tales of escape from this notorious Venetian landmark.
What is the Doge’s Palace Prison?
The Doge’s Palace Prisons are a series of historic cells located in the palace’s attic beneath the opulent chambers of Venice’s Doge and the Piombi.
Hidden from the public eye, these prisons once held some of Italy’s most infamous criminals and political prisoners. They revealed the workings of the Venetian judicial system.
The cold gray walls and the darkness within leave visitors with an eerie feeling.
History of the Prisons
The prisons of the Doge’s Palace were designed to detain individuals accused of various crimes.
The most infamous section, the Piombi, was situated in the attic, receiving little sunlight and creating a grim atmosphere.
In 1797, the Piombi were abandoned, and a new facility was established on the island of Giudecca.
The New Prison was also constructed across the Rio de Palazzo and connected to the Doge’s Palace by the iconic Bridge of Sighs.
Conditions in the Prisons
The prison served as a site of intense agony and torture and a reminder of the contrast between the lavish rooms of the Doge and the squalor of the prisons underneath.
These prisons were damp and dark, without any sunlight, and meant more for revenge than punishment.
Disease and death resulting from the dire conditions in the prison resulted in the New Prison in the 16th century.
The other prison, known as the Piombi, meaning under the roof, refers to the prison in the palace’s attic under the lead roofs.
These were also dark, with little sunlight or ventilation, providing inhuman conditions for those imprisoned.
The Piombi is where the famous Casanova was imprisoned. More on this exciting escapade below. Read on.
The Famous Prisoners of the Piombi
The prison was known for its harsh conditions and the fact that it was often used as a tool of political repression.
It was also used to contain political dissidents, including those seen as threatening the Republic.
Some famous prisoners include Giacomo Casanova, the renowned adventurer, and Giuseppe Foscari, the Doge of Venice in the 15th century.
The Great Escape
The infamous Giacomo Casanov was also one of the prisoners of the Piombi. He was known for his notoriety across Europe.
Casanova is said to be the only person to have escaped from the Piombi by climbing through a hole in the ceiling of his cell.
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Why take a Prison Tour?
It’s great to read about the prison on your device, but going there in person is a truly enthralling experience.
You can take a secret itineraries tour and uncover the secrets hidden in the dark corners of the prison cells.
You will witness history come alive as your tour guide provides the narrative, making you experience the inhuman conditions that faced the prisoners, the torture techniques used and the fascinating details of the great escape of Casanova!
💡Let’s recap what we’ve read thus far with some Doge’s Palace Piombi Facts
The Piombi was named after the lead roof that covered the attic. The cells in the Piombi were very small—about 6 feet wide and 8 feet long.
Poor ventilation existed in the Piombi’s cells. As a result, they were freezing in the winter and very hot in the summer. Some of the prisoners in the Piombi were tortured.Casanova escaped from the Piombi by climbing down a rope made from bed sheets.
Featured Image: Palazzoducale.visitmuve.it
