The Sala del Collegio (College Hall) in the Doge’s Palace was the place where the Saviours and the Signoria, autonomous bodies with specific tasks forming part of the Full College, met.
When was this hall built? What exactly was it used for? What are the works inside?
Read on to find out more.
Before we begin, a brief preamble: if you plan to visit the Doge’s Palace in Venice, the College Hall and all the other rooms, it is strongly recommended that you buy your ticket online, to avoid the long queue that may form at the ticket office. By purchasing your ticket in advance, you will be able to access the Palace by skipping the queue at the entrances.
Doge’s Palace Venice skip-the-line ticket: quick access
Buy online. Choose your preferred time. Visit the Doge’s Palace of Venice, the Hall of Great Council, the prisons and more.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
College Hall of the Doge’s Palace: history
The College Hall was the place in the Doge’s Palace where the Full College, composed of the Saviours and the Signoria, autonomous bodies with specific tasks, met.
The Saviours were divided into various groups, such as the Savi del Consiglio, who dealt with foreign policy, the Savi di Terraferma, responsible for territories outside the lagoon, and the Savi agli Ordini, who managed maritime matters.
The Signoria comprised the heads of the Quarantia and the Minor Consiglio, composed of the doge and the six councillors of the sestieri.
This complex interaction between the different offices was a pillar of the Venetian constitution, ensuring institutional balance and social peace for centuries.
The College had the task of preparing and coordinating the work of the Senate, managing the correspondence of ambassadors, receiving foreign delegations and promoting legislative and political activity.
Works and Paintings
Following the fire of 1574, the wooden seats and ceiling carvings were made by Andrea Faenza and Francesco Bello.
In the frames on the outer perimeter of the ceiling are paintings by Paolo Veronese depicting historical subjects and the virtues of good government.
On the inside, in the first rectangular compartment is a view of St. Mark’s bell tower emerging behind the figures of Mars and Neptune, in the centre The Triumph of Faith, and towards the tribune Venice with Justice and Peace.
The canvas above the tribune, another work by Vicentino, shows The Battle of Lepanto against the Turks, which took place on 7 October 1571.
The paintings by Jacopo and Domenico Tintoretto show the doges together with the Virgin Mary and St Catherine.
Inside the room is a fireplace from the late 16th century showing Hercules and Mercury and a wall clock that marked time during the sessions of the College.
Conclusions
This was the story of the famous College Hall in the Doge’s Palace in Venice. If you want to find out more, read the list of all the rooms and interiors of the Doge’s Palace, or have a look at the article on the Antichamber of the College, the hall adjacent to the one we have just talked about.
Doge’s Palace Venice skip-the-line ticket: quick access
Buy online. Choose your preferred time. Visit the Doge’s Palace of Venice, the Hall of Great Council, the prisons and more.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Photo credits:
- Sala del Collegio: Photo by Shay Tressa DeSimone via Flickr
- Sala del Collegio: Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr
