Lords of the Night Prison Palace: tour to the cells and torture tools
Do this because
- Explore the old prisons of the Venetian Republic
- Listen to myths, legends and stories about the prisoners
- Discover legends and secrets of Casanova and its jailbreak
What to expect
Discover the secret itinerary in the mysterious Prisons of Piazza San Marco, connected to the Doge’s Palace by the Bridge of Sighs.
The Palace is "populated" by life-size figures of the Lords of the Night, prisoners, Judges, Lawyers and all the characters who worked in the Prisons, painstakingly drawn from ancient manuscripts.
The guide will bring you through exclusive places: you will have the opportunity to enter the torture room and see authentic torment items used by the torturers in the past to make the criminals confess. There, you will discover the stories about the Lords of the Nights: the terrible Venetian police who oversaw the crimes and brought criminals and betrayers in front of the courtroom.
You will go down to the cold cells to see the lifestyle of the prisoners: what they ate, drank and where they slept. Here you can also admire the original graffiti left by the prisoners and listen about the thrilling Casanova’s escape: he managed to evade from the maximum-security jail known as “Piombi”!
You will discover the alternative that prisoners had between staying in a cell or serving their sentence on board a Venetian galley. Each year of boarding as a Galeotti was worth the same as spending 2 years in a cell.
Listen to the histories and legends that still reside inside these cells and halls. Along the itinerary, you’ll enjoy the explanation of the powerful “Council of The Ten”, composed by the highest Venice Politicians that ran the justice in all Venetian domains.
Nowadays the Palace, which overlooks the stunning Riva Degli Schiavoni, is home to an important Venetian cultural Institution.
Important to know
- Know in advance:
- The tour can be canceled in case of exceptional high tide. In this case, the tour can be rescheduled for the day after otherwise the client will be refunded
- The tour could be bilingual. The live commentary is provided in English and Italian
- The audio commentary is provided in French
- Please note that on some days you could be required to pay a fee-per person to enter Venice city center. Visit the official communication channels of the Municipality of Venice to know the dates, the cost, and the possibility to benefit from exemptions and reductions
What’s included
Skip-the-line entrance
Guided tour of the Prison's Palace
What’s not included
Doge's Palace
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Location
Circolo Artistico - Palazzo Delle Prigioni, Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Meeting point:
Prison Palace is close to San Marco Square, beside Doge's Palace. Please note, do not go to the entrance of Doge's Palace. To reach the Prisons Palace, cross the bridge on the right side of the entrance of the Doge's Palace. Please enter Prison's Place and head upstairs to the first floor.
Need a hand?
Would you like some help making a booking? Or perhaps you just want to ask a few questions. Whatever the reason, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Opening hours: Our team is available from 10.00 to 18.00 CET
Phone number: +1 208-744-6464
You might also like
Private gondola tour in Venice off the beaten track
Glide through the canals of Venice and learn about the city on this private gondola ride. Choose from different tour durations to make the most out of your trip.
en, it
Venice private tour with skip-the-line St. Mark's Basilica
Book this private, customisable tour and skip the line at St. Mark's Basilica and explore Rialto with a local expert guide. Snap pics of the Grand Canal too.
en, it, fr, es, de
Doge's Palace small group or private tour with a local guide
Book tickets on this tour of Venice's UNESCO-listed Doge's Palace. Follow an expert local guide through the palace, Bridge of Sighs and the New Prisons.
en
Private tour of Venice off the beaten path
Book now to explore Venice's hidden gems, culture and traditions on this customisable private tour. With your guide, you'll get a glimpse of local hotspots too.
en, it, fr, es, de
Private tour of Venice highlights with skip-the-line ticket to St. Mark's Bell Tower
Book this private customisable tour discovering the best of Venice's St. Mark's Square with a local expert. You'll get skip-the-line tickets up the bell tower too.
en, it, fr, es, de
Accademia Gallery of Venice and Sestiere Dorsoduro private tour
Book tickets to explore the best of Venetian art on this private customisable tour. Look inside the prestigious Accademia Gallery and visit the Dorsoduro district.
en, it, fr, es, de
Guided tour of Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica with gondola ride
Combine the most popular Venice tours in one day. Visit Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, and then enjoy a gondola ride on the Grand Canal.
en, it, fr, es, de
Doge’s Palace and St. Mark's Basilica skip-the-line and guided tour
Buy your walking tour with an expert local guide to admire Venice's best sights. Visit St. Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
en
Murano glassblowing & Burano lace-making private boat tour in Venice
Get off the beaten track with this tour and visit the enchanting islands of Murano and Burano. Don't miss live demonstrations of glassblowing and lace making.
en
Galleon Dinner Cruise in Venice
Admire the scenic coast of Mazzorbo, Burano and Murano and dine on board during a panoramic tour of Saint Mark's basin.
