St. Mark’s Square Prison Palace (Palazzo delle Prigioni) Entry Ticket
(1 Reviews)
Instant Confirmation
E-tickets accepted
USD 10.64
Behind the famous bridge lies the building everyone photographs but almost nobody enters. Palazzo delle Prigioni was the Venetian Republic’s new prison, and the sighs that gave the Bridge of Sighs its name were heard on the way in here.
Step into the cells, read the graffiti prisoners scratched into the stone, and stand in the torture room where confessions were extracted. Book your tickets and discover the dark side of St. Mark’s Square!
Step into the cells, read the graffiti prisoners scratched into the stone, and stand in the torture room where confessions were extracted. Book your tickets and discover the dark side of St. Mark’s Square!
Key Highlights
- Explore the 16th-century prison of the Venetian Republic
- Walk through original cells and shadowy corridors
- See real graffiti left behind by prisoners centuries ago
- Enter the torture room and view the instruments once used there
- Hear tales of myths, legends and daring escapes
- Access areas of the palace never previously opened to the public
- Stand steps from the Bridge of Sighs at the heart of St. Mark’s
- Choose a live guided tour or self-paced audio commentary
About St. Mark’s Square Prison Palace (Palazzo delle Prigioni) Entry Ticket
Palazzo delle Prigioni translates literally as the Prison Palace, and the name captures exactly what it is: part grand civic building, part penitentiary. Completed in the late sixteenth century on the Riva degli Schiavoni, it was built to replace the cramped, damp cells inside the Doge’s Palace itself, and it was connected to the courts by a covered bridge across the canal.
That bridge is the Bridge of Sighs, and the story attached to it belongs to this building. Prisoners crossing from the magistrates’ chambers to their cells are said to have caught a final glimpse of Venice through its stone lattice windows before disappearing inside. Today thousands photograph the bridge from outside every hour. Very few go through the door at the far end of it.
Inside, the building has kept its character. The cells are small, dark and stone-walled, and the walls carry graffiti scratched by the people held here, names, dates and marks counting out time. Corridors run between them, lit much as they would have been. The route also takes in a torture room displaying the instruments used to extract confessions under the Republic’s justice system.
The visit covers spaces that were closed to the public until recently, and the storytelling leans into the myths, legends and escape attempts attached to the place, Casanova’s among the most famous in Venetian history.
The tour runs around 45 minutes, in English and Italian with audio commentary also available in French and Spanish.
Book through Thrillark and secure your entry at the best available rate, so you skip the queue and head straight in.
That bridge is the Bridge of Sighs, and the story attached to it belongs to this building. Prisoners crossing from the magistrates’ chambers to their cells are said to have caught a final glimpse of Venice through its stone lattice windows before disappearing inside. Today thousands photograph the bridge from outside every hour. Very few go through the door at the far end of it.
Inside, the building has kept its character. The cells are small, dark and stone-walled, and the walls carry graffiti scratched by the people held here, names, dates and marks counting out time. Corridors run between them, lit much as they would have been. The route also takes in a torture room displaying the instruments used to extract confessions under the Republic’s justice system.
The visit covers spaces that were closed to the public until recently, and the storytelling leans into the myths, legends and escape attempts attached to the place, Casanova’s among the most famous in Venetian history.
The tour runs around 45 minutes, in English and Italian with audio commentary also available in French and Spanish.
Book through Thrillark and secure your entry at the best available rate, so you skip the queue and head straight in.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to Palazzo delle Prigioni.
- Access to prison cells, corridors, and the torture room.
- Live guided tour in English or Italian, if selected.
- Audio guide in English, French, Italian, or Spanish, if selected.
Exclusions
- Food and drinks.
- Hotel pickup and transport.
Insiders' Tips
Pair it with a Doge’s Palace ticket, since that is the only way to actually cross the Bridge of Sighs and seeing both ends of the journey makes far more sense than either alone.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
- Tours run at fixed daily times.
- Duration: approximately 45 minutes.
- Availability varies by date and season.
- Tours may be multilingual.
Child Policy
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- The content may be more suitable for older children and teenagers.
- Younger children may find the dark cells unsettling.
- Stairs and uneven flooring are present.
Accessibility & Facilities
- Meeting point is at the entrance.
- The historic building has stairs between levels.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended.
- Contact the operator for accessibility requirements.
- Located on the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront.
Restrictions
- Tours may be conducted in multiple languages.
- Visitors must follow the guided or audio-guided route.
- Dark, enclosed cells may not suit visitors with claustrophobia.
- Tickets are valid only for the selected date and time.
- The Bridge of Sighs is not included.
Cancellation Policy
This ticket is refundable up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the St. Mark’s Square Prison Palace?
It is Palazzo delle Prigioni, the sixteenth-century prison of the Venetian Republic on the Riva degli Schiavoni. Built to replace the cells inside the Doge’s Palace, it is connected to the courts by the Bridge of Sighs. Today visitors can explore its cells, corridors and torture room.
What is included in a Prison Palace ticket?
Your ticket covers skip-the-line admission to Palazzo delle Prigioni with access to the cells, corridors and torture room. Depending on the option you choose, it includes a live guided tour in English or Italian, or an audio guide in English, French, Italian or Spanish.
How long does the Prison Palace tour take?
The experience lasts approximately 45 minutes. That covers the full route through the cells and the historical commentary. It fits easily into a morning or afternoon around St. Mark’s Square.
Does this ticket include the Bridge of Sighs?
No. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs requires a Doge’s Palace ticket, since the bridge forms part of that route between the institutional chambers and the New Prisons. This ticket covers Palazzo delle Prigioni itself. Many visitors book both to see each end of the journey.
Where is Palazzo delle Prigioni located?
It sits on the Riva degli Schiavoni beside Ponte della Paglia, right next to the Doge’s Palace. From St. Mark’s Square, keep the Doge’s Palace ahead of you and the basin behind, go right, cross the bridge where the Bridge of Sighs comes into view, then look left for the entrance.
Is the Prison Palace suitable for children?
Older children and teenagers tend to find it fascinating, particularly the graffiti and the escape stories. The torture room and the dark enclosed cells may be unsettling for younger children. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Is the tour given in English?
Yes. Live guided tours run in English and Italian, and audio commentary is available in English, French, Italian and Spanish. Note that tours are sometimes delivered multilingually depending on the composition of the group.
Trustpilot
in Dubai