Venice, Italy: The Doge's Palace

The Doge's Palace — the ruling center and opulent, art-filled residence of Venice's duke — was built to show off the wealth of the republic and to remind visitors that Venice's mighty trading empire was number one. For four centuries (about 1150-1550), this was the most powerful half-acre in Europe. The evocative Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the prison next door. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.