I once found my way there, but was pursued by a frantic official and scolded back again.
The courtyard is inexhaustible in interest and beauty, from its bronze well-heads to the grated leaden prison cells on the roof, the terrible piombi which were so dreaded on account of their heat in summer and cold in winter.

Here in the middle of the eighteenth century that diverting blackguard, Jacques Casanova, was imprisoned.

He was "under the leads" over the Piazzetta wing, and the account of his durance and his escape is one of the most interesting parts, and certainly the least improper, of his remarkably frank autobiography.

Venice does not seem to have any pride in this son of hers, but as a master of licentiousness, effrontery, adventurousness, and unblushing candour he stands alone in the world.

Born at Venice in 1725, it was in the seminary of S.Cyprian here that he was acquiring the education of a priest when events occurred which made his expulsion necessary.