The former residence of the Doge of Venice, the palace has been standing for close to 700 years and is one of the key representative symbols of Venice. An antiquated title, the Doge is likened to an emperor, with the title lasting for life; however, the Doge differs in the fact that the position holds both secular and religious power, and was the highest official position in the old Republic of Venice. The palace is a fine example of Venetian gothic architecture and has survived many series of fires, only standing today owing to its multiple renovations. As it had several defensive walls in the past, the palace was also once used as a jail back in the 17th Century and the portico from which the Doge used to watch executions from can be seen from the main square. After the fall of the Republic of Venice at the end of the 18th century, the building became repurposed as an administrative building and a cultural institute thereafter, before it was finally converted into a public museum. A monumental part of Venice’s rich history, the Palazzo Ducale is an iconic landmark that should not be missed!