Upon entering through the Porta del Frumento -- the main entrance on the south side of the palace -- we headed to the central courtyard. This photo faces toward the north end of the courtyard; you can see the ornate facade of the Foscari Portico, which was commissioned by Doge Francesco Foscari in the mid-15th century. It combines elements of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture; the facade is decorated with ancient Roman sculptures, and the clock was added by Bartolomeo Manopola in the 17th century. The statue featured in the lower center of the tower depicts the Duke of Urbino. In the background, you can see one of the domes of Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica), which used to be the doges' chapel before it became a public place of worship.

To the left, you can see the palace's Piazzetta wing, which was designed in the building's original Venetian Gothic style. To the right is the Renaissance wing, which features a richly decorated marble facade; it was designed by Antonio Rizzo following the fire of 1483. Near the northeast corner of the courtyard, you can see the Giants' Staircase, which is situated opposite the Foscari Arch. The upper level landing features two colossal statues of Mars and Neptune, which were sculpted by Jacopo Sansovino and placed here in 1567. Finally, in the center of the courtyard, there are two elaborately sculpted bronze wellheads dating to the mid-16th century.