How did Galileo find his way to Venice and what was his business with the Grand Duke?  Find out on our Doge’s Palace Tour for Kids, designed especially for families! Parents will learn about this historic Gothic architectural masterpiece—which was the seat of the Venetian Republic—while kids take part in an interactive treasure hunt to find the clues that explain Galileo’s reasons for being in Venice in 1609. Our guide, trained to work with travelers of all ages, will keep the whole family engaged.

Venice in the 17th century was at its peak as a powerful republic. Galileo, a renowned scholar and astronomer, came to Venice to present his greatest invention yet: the telescope.  The Doge, leader of The Venetian republic, welcomed Galileo and his invention in hopes of employing it to defend against enemies and maritime invaders. Galileo hoped to further his study of the stars from the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica and continue his investigation of the heavens.

The magnificent Doge’s Palace is the most important historic monument in Venice and includes many references to Galileo’s time in the republic. Kids will enjoy finding traces of the great astronomer’s life while parents will get their fill of the history of Venice and an in-depth look at the art and architecture of the Palazzo.

Our time together ends with skip-the-line access to the bell tower in St Mark’s Square (weather and season permitting) where we will see the view over the entire city and lagoon, just as Galileo would have been able to 400 years ago.

If your travels take you to Florence, you may enjoy our Galileo in Florence Tour and a visit to the Science Museum dedicated to him there.

For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to directly enter the security line at the palace without waiting to purchase tickets. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

Yes, this tour will include both the Bridge of Sighs and the prison area.