|
Free of the civil
strife that plagued other nations, Venice emerged as the most legitimate
Renaissance power, guaranteeing peace and glory for its subjects and
distinguishing itself as the wisest of governments.
In
A
Most Serene Republic
you'll explore the
glittering courtrooms
and council halls of the Doge's Palace, Venice's
political heart, to find out how this ingenious government
really
worked and discover the shrewd commercial and
judicial policies behind the "Myth of Venice" as it
came to be extolled in
Western political thought.
Through the huge, painted canvases that adorn the palace
interiors, you'll also see how the city's ruling aristocracy
envisioned the State and its role in the lives of its subjects.
Beginning on the loggia, we'll return to the twilight of the Roman Empire and relive the
invasion of the barbarian hordes as they sweep into the surrounding mainland and force the terrorized inhabitants to flee into the marshy
wasteland along the shores of the fabled Seven Seas. We'll see these
humble refugees establish Venice's first, democratic government just as
Byzantium conquers the mainland and creates the embryo of its future
aristocracy. Age-old rivalries ignite and bitter trading disputes ensue as Venice's tranquility is shattered by violence and bloodshed.
We'll witness the investiture of the first doge and then enter the
palace itself, climbing the Golden Staircase as we talk about the
mythical origins of the Venetians themselves. In the courtroom of the
Old Civil Quarantia, we'll see how the doge's power waned as a result
of the complex legal issues raised by the city's expanding commerce and
then enter into the vast hall of the Great Council where we'll relive
its blood-stained birth and see Venice evolve from turbulent Byzantine
dukedom into serene, aristocratic republic. Here and in the
adjoining electoral hall and New Civil Quarantia courtroom , we'll talk
about the commissions
that came to control the doge, about the elaborate electoral laws that
prevented intrigue and fraud, and about the intricate appellate system
and court procedures that truly ensured justice for all. We'll also
discover the political relevance of Venice's aggressive wheat policy and
of its magnificent religious processions. We'll then pass through
the halls of the Criminal Quarantia, the Senate, and the College
and enter into the palace's dark prisons watching the government grow increasingly complex as more and more
controls and magistrates are instituted to defend the State from its
worst natural enemy: the ambitious and corruptible individual.
DURATION
MAJOR
SIGHT
PRINCIPAL
TOPICS
-
Democratic
beginnings: the Conventus ante ecclesium
in Christian Rome
-
The militarization of
Byzantine Italy: military
magistrates, dukes, and tribunes
-
Of
courts and councils: separation and compenetration of
powers
-
Judicial
review: civil suits and the appellate process
-
Criminal
justice: individual punishment and public reparation
-
Contumacia:
preventing the concentration of power
-
Sponsorship:
pecuniary and penal co-responsibility in the electoral process
-
The
politics of art: State iconography and the republican
ideal
PRICE
AND SPECIAL NOTE
The
price indicated is intended to cover the costs of the
Association's continued research initiatives and
organization and is in compliance with the conditions
concerning the activities of non-profit organizations as set
forth in the Italian Ministry of Finance Unified Code Article
111, paragraph 3 (Art. 111, T.U., comma 3)
- Price:
$225.00 (U.S. dollars) for
two (2) persons (incidental
transportation costs and entrance fees are not included).
Each
additional adult costs $50.00.
Minors
under the age of 18 cost $25.00 each.
- Special
note:
"A
Most Serene Republic" is a highly specialized and
technical itinerary delving into the organization and
operation of the Venetian government and judiciary. It
is specifically designed for students of political
science and jurisprudence and should not be mistaken
for a general-interest tour of the Doge's
Palace. For general-interest tours,
visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the audio
tour available at the ticket office.
Comments on
A Most Serene Republic
An astonishing tale of conspiracy, feud, assassination, and politicking. The
labyrinthine system of government with multiple councils providing
checks and balances on each other is a fascinating study of human
nature.
|
Chris
Carrigan and Tina Monk
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
|
The
tour conveyed detailed and perceptive analyses of the complex,
interlocking legal and political institutions that enabled Venice to
successfully compete with
and outlast
empires larger than she. We especially enjoyed the focus on the military,
political, and legal history of the palace and the explanations of how Venice's
unique republican government successfully prevented an over-concentration of
power in the hands of a few corrupt.
|
Robert
and Clare Gordon
San Francisco, California
|
A
very rewarding afternoon! The tour was extremely helpful to me in
arriving at a clear, compelling picture of the core principles behind
the Venetian governing system and understanding the direct connection
between procedural minutiae and ultimate governing principle. It made me
see just how determined the Venetians were to devise a series of
procedures which maximized incentives for the type of personal and
collective responsibility which was the nobility's governing ideal.
|
Dial
Parrott
Glastonbury, Connecticut
|
The
most fascinating story imaginable! Not only did we learn a great
deal about the complexity of the Venetian system of government and
administration, but we found ourselves making observations about how the
Venetians prevented
three, four, or even five hundred years ago
the misgovernment that modern administrations continue to grapple
with. This tour is for anyone with an interest in intrigue, power,
and the human capacity for corruption!
|
Amy
Selwyn
London, United Kingdom
|
|
