The wonderful complex of the Doge’s Palace, like the Basilica of San Marco,was preceded by two important interventions. The first one, around IX century, was when the Doges abandoned the headquarters of the Malamocco; the second one, around XII century, was when Doge S. Ziani began the renovation of the urban scenery of San Marco Square and its surroundings, conferring to it its present aspect.The changes of the Palace began in 1340, only to be finished around 1420 with the rich decoration of its façade.The complex, with its regular geometric form, is a compact mass in its upper structure which is almost closed but has an impressing series of empty spaces inside acute arches in the two lower floors. This is the result produced by the spectacular structure of Gothic architecture.The lower part of the Palace, communicating with the square, and the upper loggia, both open, determine the suggestive atmosphere of the Greek and Roman arcades.The Doge’s Palace was the headquarter of all the political institutions of the Republic and Justice, including jails. It was also the residence of the Doge. In the rich decorations and fresoes of its rooms (works by Zuccari, Veronese, Tintoretto and Tiepolo) and in its commemorative statues (by Sansovino), the virtues of the Serenissima, and the functions it exerted, are always visible.