A statue of 'Scala dei Giganti' (Stairway of Giants) located in the courtyard of the 'Palazzo Ducale' (Doge's Palace) during an event to present the completion of the restoration works, in Venice, ItalyPhoto: EPA
The gothic palace in St Mark’s Square housed the city’s top official, the Doge, when Venice was the capital of an independent and powerful republic.
The museum that now preserves the palace said Thursday that experts had restored the facades overlooking an internal courtyard and the adjoining Church of St Nicholas.
During the work on what was the Doge’s private church, water infiltration was repaired and cleaners brought to light traces of gold plating, coloured marble and paint which originally decorated the whole palace.
The restoration began in 2007 and cost nearly €2.5 million, or £2.2 million.