DOGE'S PALACE, Exterior

Look for a good spot to admire the Palace among the pigeons, groups of tourists, street stalls, and equipment for high water. The long square building has two identical façades that are divided into three overlapping sections. As you look up, the Palace seems to lose weight in a play of shadows, light, and color that is enhanced by the changing weather conditions and reflections from the water.

The ground floor consists of a portico with 36 columns and carved capitals that support the arcades.

Above you a light, Gothic loggia opens up with an almost musical rhythm; note how there are twice as many arches than in the portico below. Also note the four-"petal" circular openings in the upper end of the fretwork....