Venice Exhibits - Palazzo Ducale and Correr Museum

The Palazzo Ducale,or Doge's Palace, is one of Venice's must-see attractions. On St. Mark's Square, the impressive Palazzo was the political and judicial hub of Venetian government until 1797. Through November 28, the Palazzo Ducale is holding an exhibit, Venice And Islam, with paintings, glass, ceramics, metal and precious fabrics showing the influences of the east on Venice between the 9th and 18th centuries.

Also in Venice the Correr Museum has Heavenly Spheres, Earthly Spheres with 142 works displayed for the first time on planetary and terrestrial globes from the 16th through 19th centuries. The exhibit includes a rare 1550 mounted model of the world by Italian cartographer Livio Sanudo.

You can buy a museum card at the Correr Museum that includes the Palazzo Ducale. Buy your card at the Correr, visit the museum, then go to San Marco the following morning when the Palazzo Ducale opens. You can often get in before they even start selling tickets and you'll avoid the huge tourist crowds both in the palace and in St. Mark's Square. Europe for Visitors has Pictures of the Doges Palace.

Venice Travel: Venice Visitors Guide | Top Rated Venice Hotels | Venice Pictures | Venice Travel Directory

_{Picture of Piazza San Marco © 2006 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to about.com}