Lords of the Night were Police and Judges of the Venetian Republic. The prison staff will escort you to an authentic Prison Palace with cramped cells, a court, and gruesome torture chambers with real tortures and justice tools. Casanova was arrested by the Lords of the Night in the Prison's Palace! The Palace is "inhabited" by life-size figures of the Lords of the Night, prisoners, judges, lawyers, and all characters working in the prisons who were taken and recreated from ancient manuscripts.
The Prisons Palace houses one of the earliest prisons in Europe, dating back to 1500.
See authentic graffiti left by the inmates and get to know the exciting Casanova’s jailbreak: listen to the tale of when he managed to escape from the maximum-security prison!
Only for small groups (maximum 16 people per visit)
Audio Guided Tour in French: Choose this option to enjoy a French audio guided tour of the Prisons. Please consider that the tour could be multilingual.
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.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
To Reach the Meeting point: Prison Palace is close to San Marco Square beside Doge's Palace. Do not go to the entrance of Doge's Palace, to get to the Prisons Palace cross the bridge on the right side of the entrance of the Doge's Palace. Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the departure time. Please enter Prison's Place and head upstairs to the first floor. Please consider that the tour could be multilingual.