From the previous episode, we rehearsed visiting Piazza San Marco because we had an appointment to visit again the next morning. https://th.readme.me/p/8048

The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was on my bucket list for this trip to Venice. I've always been fascinated by palaces and their architecture, and the Doge's Palace seemed like a unique opportunity to experience a different style. I booked our tickets online through the Museum Ticket Reservations website before we even left Thailand. The ticket not only grants access to the Doge's Palace but also allows entry to a couple of other museums, which is a great deal considering the price of 24 euros per person.

Little Mouse chose to book the second session of the day, which starts at 8:45 AM. However, it is still necessary to arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled entry time to collect the actual tickets. The reason for booking in advance and choosing an early morning session is to avoid long queues and allow for more time to explore other attractions afterwards. Therefore, we will need to wake up early to travel to Piazza San Marco to meet the designated time.

Coincidentally, the members woke up late, and Ms. Pa had to get up to prepare food for us again, so the trip was delayed. However, on the bright side, since we had already practiced walking yesterday, we used the same route to Doge's Palace. But as I said, if you don't get lost in Venice, it's not the real deal. The eldest brother walked briskly, wanting to make up for lost time. The youngest brother followed closely behind, barely keeping up. The rest of the members followed suit. At one point, the youngest brother couldn't find the eldest brother, who seemed to have gone off course, so he hurried to catch up until he found him. He had a premonition that the two of them must have taken the wrong path, because the youngest brother had a nagging feeling that they should have turned at the alleyway two blocks before. But when he didn't see the eldest brother, he just followed him. The rest of the members were quiet and nowhere to be seen. In the end, we really got lost in Venice.

The tranquil dawn of Venice Siam

Still not awake from sleep

At this moment, there is nothing better than finding our way to Doj Palace. At least the other three members know where they are going. We will meet there anyway, so we both find a way to the palace by opening new paths, cutting through small alleys and alleys. I am 100% sure that this is not the path we walked yesterday. Because nothing is familiar. The buildings on both sides of the road are good evidence. In fact, at that time, the little time we had left forced us to think about nothing more than finding our way to our destination while speeding up our pace.

Finally, Big Brother and Little Mouse arrived at Piazza San Marco. Looking ahead, Papa, Big Brother, and Sud also arrived safely. They followed yesterday's route perfectly and didn't get lost. Since they were already there, it was best to queue up early. When they arrived at around 8:00 AM, tourists were already starting to line up to buy tickets at 9:00 AM. Just wait a little longer, and we'll be able to go in and see it.

Our goal is to...

The Doge's Palace, also known as Palazzo Ducale, served as the residence of the Doge of Venice. This palace was connected to St. Mark's Basilica by a gate, symbolizing the Doge's adherence to religious principles. The Doge was elected through a complex process designed to prevent bribery and the concentration of power. The average age of a newly elected Doge was 75 years old, minimizing the risk of power monopolization due to their limited life expectancy. This secretive election process took place within the Palazzo Ducale, where participants were provided with food, lodging, and were prohibited from leaving until the selection was complete. The candidate with the highest number of votes, exceeding 25, was chosen as the Doge. Consequently, each election process could take anywhere from three days to nearly a month to conclude.

The Doge's Palace served not only as the Doge's residence but also as the seat of government, effectively functioning as the Venetian parliament. The palace depicted in the photograph is a reconstruction following a fire in 1574 that destroyed the original structure, built between 1309 and 1424. While retaining its Gothic style, the new palace incorporates elements of Neo-Classicism. Today, the rose-colored marble palace houses a museum and hosts art exhibitions.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a courtyard adorned with numerous sculptures and artistic creations. The intricate details and meticulous craftsmanship of these statues, carvings, and sculptures are a testament to the artistic mastery of the Venetian rulers. Each piece is a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing the exquisite attention to detail that characterizes Venetian art.

However, this is only the first part. There are other parts that I will take you to see. We will probably spend a long time in this palace because there are many more beautiful rooms and areas. Follow me on the tour. Since I have already paid the entrance fee of 24 euros per person, let's go!

After exploring the expansive grounds, we ascended the stairs to the second floor, following the clearly marked signs. From the balcony walkway, we enjoyed a panoramic view of the vast courtyard below.

As you walk along the wall, you will notice a face, the "Bocca di Leone" or Mouth of Truth. This open mouth awaits letters of complaint. The Latin inscription translates to: "Report secrets against those who offer bribes and officials who collude in order to hide their true unearned income." In fact, these open mouths are scattered throughout the palace, serving as a robust anti-corruption system for that era. The inscription can accuse anyone of anything. The accuser must sign their name and include two witnesses. Anonymous accusations are considered slander and are burned. If the accusation is false, the accuser will be punished. This system effectively prevents false accusations and ensures accountability.

We are now on the second floor. There are many more beautiful places from here on. Stay tuned.

Visit the photos from the trip and say hello to the big brother and the little one at

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