The Giants Staircase in the courtyard may be impressive for its size, but for impact, nothing here can beat the magnificent main and side staircases of the Scala d'Oro, the Stairs of Gold. Named for their rich gold decoration, these lead from the Loggia on the first floor (remember that in Italy the first floor is up one story from the ground floor) to the second floor and thence to the offices and reception rooms on the third floor.
In the days of the Republic, only members of the Council and the Doge's guests of honor were allowed to use them. The staircase was probably begun by Sansovino in 1583 and completed by Scarpagnino around 1550.