Piombi Prison, Italy

From series “Famous prisons of the world”

4 out of 15 - Devils Island Prison, French Guiana

7 out of 15 - Tuolsburg Prison, Cambodia

8 out of 15 - Port Arthur Prison, Australia

9 out of 15 - Elmina Castle Prison, Ghana

Piombi Prison is known to many travelers under the unofficial name "Lead Prison". It is located in Venice. The Doge's Palace was its location. Two prisons were located here several hundred years ago. Piombi owes its name to the fact that it was built directly under the lead roof of the palace. The prison was considered one of the harshest in Europe during its years of operation. The lead roof of the palace did not prevent the penetration of cold in winter. It was very hot in the summer. The heat in the prison cells was unbearable.

Only seven cells were equipped in the prison. They were used for the detention of political prisoners. Also, prisoners who had a high social position were held here. It was in this prison that the world-famous adventurer Casanova served his sentence. He became one of the few prisoners who managed to escape from Piombi. Casanova described his time in prison and his escape in his memoirs later. Excursions are conducted through the ancient prisons today. Visitors to the Doge's Palace can see the preserved prison cells located under the roof. They will also have the opportunity to descend into the palace's dungeons. The prison was also located there in the medieval period.

The prison located in the dungeons was called Pozzi. Special wells were equipped in it for the detention of prisoners. This prison was considered much more severe. Criminals sentenced to death were kept in it. The grand escape of Casanova made medieval prisons famous all over the world. He had been preparing this escape for more than a year. Initially, he was kept in one of the wells of the underground prison. He was transferred to Piombi's cell later.

Casanova immediately began to make a hole in the floor of his cell. He planned to escape from the empty palace one of the holidays. Casanova was suddenly transferred to another cell when almost everything was ready to escape. Prison guards discovered a huge hole in his former cell soon after. Casanova had to bribe the guards to keep this fact from becoming public. He escaped from his new cell through a hole made in the lead roof shortly after.

Next - Tuolsburg Prison

Guantanamo Prison, Cuba

Tuolsburg Prison, Cambodia

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Piombi Prison - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Euronet ATM (Stela Veneziana)' located in 0.2 km (

check the route on the map).

Car rental office: 'San Marco Giardinetti ACTV Fermata/Stop' is located in 0.22 km (

on the map).

Fuel station: 'Total Erg' in 1.31 km

Supermarket: 'The Barchessa two s.n.c.' in 0.25 km

Parking: 'parcheggio Ncc' in 1.71 km

Apotheek: 'Farmacia Al Lupo Coronato' in 0.18 km

Police station: 'Carabinieri Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale - Palazzo delle Procuratie Nuove' in 0.16 km

Cafe/restaurant: 'Bar Gelateria Al Todaro Dal 1948' in 0.08 km

Railway station: 'Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia' in 1.73 km

Nearest airports:
» Marco Polo Airport VCE - in 7 km

» Canova Airport TSF - in 26 km

» Vicenza Airport VIC - in 65 km

» Udine Airfield Airport UDN - in 93 km

» Portoroz Airport POW - in 99 km

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Best hotels near Piombi Prison

Apartment Vittoria House Venezia

Located in 0 km from Piombi Prison
Route on the map:

Rooms: 1

The two-bedroom apartment will provide you with satellite-TV and CD-player with radio. The kitchen is equipped with an oven and dishwasher. The … More: photo, rates and booking

Wenicevenice Apartments

Located in 1 km from Piombi Prison
Route on the map:

Rooms: 3

With free Wi-Fi, these spacious apartments are elegantly furnished and have a kitchenette with oven and refrigerator. The private bathroom comes with … More: photo, rates and booking

Yacht Anna Dukaj

Located in 2 km from Piombi Prison
Route on the map:

Rooms: 5

En suite cabins on the 30-metre Anna Dukaj include satellite flat-screen TV, air-conditioning and a sea view. The bathroom comes with soft bathrobes … More: photo, rates and booking

Villa Laguna Apartments

Located in 3 km from Piombi Prison
Route on the map:

Rooms: 2

Accommodation at the Ville del Lido Apartments comes with air conditioning, a dishwasher and a living/dining area. The Santa Maria Elisabetta … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

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Top destination around Piombi Prison - Venice

Venice is not deprived of romantic apart hotels, and Grimaldi Apartments is, without a doubt, one of them. One of guest rooms of the apartment complex is intended for couples. Made in red and white, this apartment is an incredibly charming place. Sheer textiles, charming crimson carpets, and a large chandelier in the medieval style decorated with crimson ribbons – the rooms of the apartment look truly awesome. Elegant table lamps and large mirrors, thanks to which the apartment looks even bigger, only emphasize the gorgeous design.

Hotel Abbazia is a unique place that is open in the building of an ancient monastery. Besides charming guest rooms with genuine furniture of the 18th century, travelers are welcome to relax in the large inner yard with a wonderful garden. Travelers will be pleased to find charming summer houses and wooden terraces with soft furniture. The garden is an ideal place for various celebrations and events. The former monastery dining room is now the location of a charming lounge bar that is also perfectly suitable for evening relaxation.
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