Are you tired yet? From the previous episode, I took you on a tour of Doge's Apartment until your necks were sore.

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The Doge's Palace is so large that it takes three episodes to show you around. Another important and magnificent room is the Sala del Maggior Consiglio, or Hall of the Great Council. This is a huge meeting room with many magnificent works of art. The original room was destroyed by fire in 1577 and was rebuilt between 1578 and 1594. The magnificence of the building comes from the works of art. What I found most impressive was Tintoretto's Paradise on the back wall, which shows the artist's skill. I really want to know how he did it. The meetings must have been very impressive and sacred. Seeing it in person is breathtaking and indescribable. If you talk about its beauty, it is very beautiful. But when you really look at it, it shows a grandeur that is indescribable.

This oil painting, the largest in the world at 570 square feet, depicts Jesus and the Virgin Mary at its center, surrounded by 500 figures ascending to heaven. The artist, Tintoretto, intended to convey the Venetian belief that salvation was not solely based on Christian faith, but also on being a good Venetian citizen, emphasizing loyalty to the Doge over the Pope. Legend has it that Tintoretto's daughter died on the day he completed the painting, and he immortalized her by adding her as the 501st figure. You can count the figures yourself to verify this claim. Identifying Tintoretto's daughter among them remains a mystery, even for me. (555)

A tour of the Doge's Palace reveals Venice's deliberate intention to showcase its wealth and opulence. Every room and object exudes a sense of extravagance, perhaps even to the point of excess in the eyes of some. While the abundance of art and decoration may seem overwhelming, it undeniably reflects the artistic zenith of Venice. This visit offers a unique opportunity to witness this grandeur firsthand, even if the sheer volume of art evokes a slight sense of awe.

After admiring the beauty of the Doge's Palace, a passage leads to another famous bridge in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). Originally called the Bridge of Prison, it was designed by Antoni Contino in 1602 and built from white limestone. The bridge has windows that allow views of the sky and the sea of Venice, offering prisoners a final glimpse of beauty before their imprisonment. The bridge earned its current name because it connected the Doge's Palace, where prisoners were sentenced, to the prison on the other side.

The name "Bridge of Sighs" was coined later by the writer Lord Byron, who imagined that prisoners would sigh as they crossed the bridge, seeing the last glimpse of sunlight or moonlight. The view from the bridge offers a panorama of both the city and the sea. This was the last point where prisoners would see the light before entering the prison, and they would sigh knowing that they would never see the light again. It is said that only one person ever escaped from this prison: Casanova, the legendary lover.

The little girl tried walking on this bridge and looking out through the camera to get the same feeling as those prisoners. And to get the same feeling, she had to sigh as she walked through.

The view from the bridge offers a glimpse of both the city and the sea, with gondolas gliding by at intervals. This is due to a local belief that if a couple kisses under the bridge while riding a gondola, their love will be eternal. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen.

The bridge stands as a paradoxical symbol of both hope and despair. For young lovers, it represents the eternal promise of their love, a testament to their enduring bond that will last until old age or death. Conversely, for those who have lost all hope, it marks the final point of their journey, a place where their dreams and aspirations come to an end. The bridge serves as a stark reminder that the light of hope can fade, leaving only the cold reality of despair.

To enhance the realism of her report, Noomlek captured the chilling atmosphere of the prison cells. The sight was truly depressing, making it understandable why prisoners would yearn for one last glimpse of Venice's beauty through the bridge's window before losing that opportunity forever. The initial walk was manageable, but as Noomlek continued, she found herself alone, a feeling that sent shivers down her spine. Recalling that only one person had ever escaped from this prison, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. With that thought in mind, she quickened her pace.

Having thoroughly explored the Doge's Palace, we took one last stroll through the courtyard below while waiting for the rest of our group to join us.

Emerging from the Doge's Palace, visitors exit through the Porta della Carta, the main entrance to the palace. Constructed in 1438 by Bartolomeo and Giovanni Bon, the gate is adorned with intricate floral designs and sculptures of winged lions, symbolizing Venice and Doge Francesco Foscari. These sculptures are replicas, as the originals were destroyed by Napoleon's army during the occupation of Venice in 1797. The Porta della Carta, also known as the "Paper Gate," served as a public notice board for official announcements and decrees. Its Byzantine-style archway, dating back over 500 years, is a testament to the city's rich history and artistic heritage.

This gate also served as a point of contact for citizens to file complaints and submit documents for review by the Doge and the Council. This was because, in the past, Venetian citizens were not granted access to the Doge's Palace. Only distinguished guests of the Doge were permitted to enter, and they had the privilege of passing through this gate and ascending the grand staircase (Scala dei Giganti), flanked by statues of Mars and Neptune, to meet with the Doge in his chambers above.

A short distance away, two stone pillars adorned with intricate Byzantine art from the 5th-6th centuries stand tall, hailing from Syria. The exquisite carvings captivated me, prompting me to capture their beauty in photographs.

A visit to Dojima's palace may not be suitable for those who are not interested in history, art, and culture. The exhibits may only be of interest to those who share my passion for these subjects. If you are not interested in this type of content, I would advise against purchasing a ticket, as it may not be worth the cost. However, if you are interested in seeing the palace's grandeur and craftsmanship firsthand, and are willing to spend time carefully examining the exhibits, then a visit could be a worthwhile once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We have explored Doj's palace for three consecutive episodes. However, the ticket still allows you to visit the museum. Stay tuned for the next episode. I will take you to

Visit the photos from the trip and greet Piyai and Noolek at

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