Following the signs we made the square in about 25 minutes. Being early was good as the inevitable crowds of visitors had not yet arrived. We could wander pretty much as we wanted and take photos without too many other people in them.
We took a tour of the Doge's palace which included the secret areas and also across the Bridge of Sighs which joins the palace to the prison next door. A stroll through the main palace is breath taking and it was designed to be just that. To show off the wealth and power of the old Venetian republic to visiting dignitaries the corridors and staircases and chambers were all embellished with gold leaf and frescoes of glorious battles and the riches they possessed. On the ceilings and walls are commonly found canvases by Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian. When Napoleon conquered the place in the late 18th century he already had in mind the art treasures he wanted to loot. You'll find them in the Louvre today.
Unfortunately photography is not permitted inside the palace so you'll just have to go there and see for yourself.
The Basilica of San Marco was originally only for use by the Doge as a private chapel. Some chapel. The remains of St Mark were returned and interred here although he actually died in Egypt. The four famous bronze horses on the loggia of the basilica have been a permanent fixture for a couple of centuries but were in fact looted from Constantinople during the 4th crusade. The interior is almost completely decorated with not paintings but mozaics, but you have to look closely to even tell they are so finely detailed. All the background areas to the decoration of the 7 domes and the ceilings were done in gold covered tiles which gives the place a shimmering lustrous opulence. Sorry, again no photography permitted but I think I snuck in one for you.
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