Magpie
4.3(21,828 reviews)

Prisons' Palace: Maleficia, Inquistion torture tools

About this activity

Discover reproductions, ancient documents, and instruments of justice used by the Holy Office during the centuries of witchcraft persecution. Enjoy a ticket to the Maleficia Exhibition in Venice.

Highlights

  • Visit the prestigious Prisons' Palace
  • Torture instruments of the Inquisition prescribed in the original Maleficia book
  • See "instruments of torture" used as a garrote and a pillory
  • Discover instruments of justice used by the Holy Office in withcraft persecution
  • A cell for women accused of witchcraft

Full description

Suggestive testimonies, documents and objects: these are just some of the elements that combine to make Maleficia a unique exhibition, capable of revealing the mysteries, secrets, legends and historical facts that marked the thousand extraordinary years of the Serenissima Republic. In a journey through original artifacts and reproductions, discover in this exhibition, housed inside the prestigious Prisons' Palace, ancient documents used by the Holy Office in the persecution of witchcraft and the instruments of justice employed to counter it. In this Palace, between the 15th and 18th centuries, the terrible Tribunal of the Inquisition condemned to death many women accused of evil spells and magical arts and many famous people as Giacomo Casanova, accused of dabbling in magic and the occult! Discover "instruments of torture" used as a garrote, a head crusher, and an authentic whipping post. An exhibit that will take you into the medieval age making you reflect on the suffering of those condemned to death and torture in past eras.

Included / Excluded

  • Entrance ticket to Maleficia Museum

Important information

Know before you book

  • • This tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

4.3(21,828 reviews)
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide traveler
Oct 2026
5.0

Totally worth the price! Was a lot of fun and great guidance

GetYourGuide
Brunonda Silva
Oct 2026
4.0

Fizemos apenas o passeio de gôndolas, tínhamos outra atividade e não dava tempo de conhecer o Palácio Casanova’s… o passeio de gôndolas dura mais ou menos 30min, foi uma experiência diferente, acho que valeu a pena, pois eu sentei junto com minha esposa, haviam mais 3 turistas na gondola. Você não escolhe onde irá sentar e sim o gondoleiro, então você corre risco de sentar separado do seu par.

GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide traveler
Oct 2026
4.0

Sehr interessant gestaltet mit kurzer Einführung in Geschichte der Gondeln und Venedigs mit VR-Brille. Kurzer Fußweg zur Einstiegsstelle in die Gondel mit weiteren Erläuterungen unterwegs. Der Audioguide über die App war passend zur Route und kurzweilig. Jedoch trifft die Beschreibung mit Fahrt auf dem Canale Grande nicht ganz zu, da dies nur ein kurzer Teilabschnitt der Fahrt ist