Lords of the Night Prisons Palace: Cells & Torture Tools Visit
Description
Explore the hidden side of Venice with a guided visit to the historic Prison’s Palace, a place where justice and power once shaped the city’s destiny. Step inside and walk through ancient cells and quiet corridors, discovering a lesser-known chapter of Venetian history. Accompanied by a guide dressed as an authentic Lord of the Night, learn how Venice’s justice system worked and how order was maintained across the Republic. Hear stories of daily prison life, see original graffiti left by inmates, and uncover the realities faced by those once confined here. Be fascinated by the story of Giacomo Casanova’s famous escape and listen to myths and legends that still echo within these walls. Discover the role of the powerful Council of Ten in overseeing justice. Today, the Prison’s Palace, overlooking the Riva degli Schiavoni, hosts cultural events and concerts, while preserving the atmosphere of its remarkable past.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Listen to the myths and legends that still live inside these cold cells and halls. Along the route, you’ll enjoy the explanation of the powerful “Council of The Ten”, composed of the highest Venice Politicians that oversaw justice in all Venetian domains. Since the birth of the Republic, Venice has been always careful in the administration of justice, which used to do proudly with its judicial system. composed by courts, lawyers, and magistrates. One of the main points was the operating police used to resolve fights and punish the perpetrators of crimes. Nowadays the Palace, which overlooks the stunning Riva Degli Schiavoni, is home to an important Venetian cultural institution.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Reviews(239)
This is a very short, but interesting tour. It was really eye opening to the torture that people endured in Venice. Highly recommend!
I had an amazing tour with our guide Julia! She was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole experience enjoyable from start to finish. she was happy to answer all our questions. I’m extremely satisfied with the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone. Thank you Julia for such a wonderful experience
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
Great efficient tour that’s intimate, entertaining and a relief from some of the other tours. My guide was excellent (ended up a private tour) and the history, knowledge and storytelling was great.
Great interaction with the Guide. Very informative and detailed orientated, with the right amount of humor and time for personal exploration
The museum is very well preserved and the guide was really good and engaging in explaining things. A wonderful experience. I recommend it
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
The guide was very experienced and you could see he was an expert, I would do it again.
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
Our guide Leah is a friendly guide with professional knowledge about the palace and the history. 我们的导游leah人很好，知识丰富，导游过程中很耐心解答我们的问题
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
Excellent guide, professional explanation and understandable even to the little ones.
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
Anastasia was fantastic! Really great experience. Highly recommended!!!!
Dear Guest, We appreciate your feedback. Thank you and we hope to see you in Venice again. Regards, Customer Care Team
The route around the exhibition with the painter Ana was very interesting. He illustrated the historical contexts of the prisons and judicial practices of the Serenissima, explaining how the New Prisons worked in their avant-garde times and helping us to better understand the objects of torture on display.
Dear guest, thanks a lot for the positive feedback about the tour and for choosing us. We are glad to know that everything went well and we hope to see you again in Venice very soon! Best regards, Customer Care Team
