The Prisons Palace: history, mysteries and Carnival

In the heart of Venice, overlooking the San Marco Basin and connected to the Doge’s Palace by the legendary Bridge of Sighs, stands the majestic Palazzo delle Prigioni, a place steeped in history and mystery.

The Connection with Giacomo Casanova

Built in 1589 by the architect Antonio Da Ponte, the same architect who designed the Rialto Bridge, this building housed various prisoners for centuries, including the famous libertine Giacomo Casanova, to whom the Venice Carnival 2025 was dedicated (click here for the official site).

His story is deeply intertwined with that of the prisons, where he was imprisoned on charges of practicing magic and occultism. Watched by the Venetian police and branded a “diabolical violator,” he managed to accomplish a legendary feat: escaping from the Piombi, the cramped cells of the Doge’s Palace, and fleeing by gondola.

A Vibrant and Fascinating Cultural Center

Today, the Palazzo delle Prigioni is not only a historical monument, but also a lively cultural center. Here with us, you can enjoy unique experiences that will immerse you in the fascinating past of the Serenissima.

Among the activities offered, Maleficia: Inquisition, Torture and Witchcraft between the 15th and 18th Centuries stands out, an exhibition that reveals the dark secrets of the Venetian Inquisition through torture instruments, ancient documents, and disturbing testimonies.

But the experiences do not end here! Enter the world of Carnival with the Mask Workshop, where you can create and decorate your own Venetian mask, exactly as the artisans of the past used to do.

The Palazzo delle Prigioni is also the final destination of our Treasure Hunt, a surprising journey in search of the city’s secrets.

And for lovers of history and architecture, the Palazzo delle Prigioni Tour is a must, taking you through the secret rooms and corridors that once echoed with the cries of prisoners.