Editing Doge's Palace (section)

===Doge's apartments===
The rooms in which the Doge lived were always located in this area of the palace, between the Rio della Canonica – the water entrance to the building – the present-day Golden Staircase and the apse of [[St. Mark's Basilica]]. The disastrous fire in this part of the building in 1483 made important reconstruction work necessary, with the Doge's apartments being completed by 1510. The core of these apartments forms a prestigious, though not particularly large, residence, given that the rooms nearest the Golden Staircase had a mixed private and public function. In the private apartments, the Doge could set aside the trappings of office to retire at the end of the day and dine with members of his family amidst furnishings that he had brought from his own house (and which, at his death, would be promptly removed to make way for the property of the new elected Doge).
* The Scarlet Chamber possibly takes its name from the colour of the robes worn by the Ducal advisors and counsellors for whom it was the antechamber. The carved ceiling, adorned with the armorial bearings of Doge [[Andrea Gritti]], is part of the original décor, probably designed by [[Biagio d'Antonio|Biagio]] and Pietro da Faenza. Amongst the wall decoration, two frescoed lunettes are particular worthy of attention: one by [[Giuseppe Salviati]], the other by [[Titian]].
* The "Scudo" Room has this name from the [[coat-of-arms]] of the reigning Doge which was exhibited here while he granted audiences and received guests. The coat-of-arms currently on display is that of [[Ludovico Manin]], the Doge reigning when the Republic of St. Mark came to an end in 1797. This is the largest room in the Doge's apartments and runs the entire width of this wing of the palace. The hall was used as a reception chamber and its decoration with large geographical maps was designed to underline the glorious tradition that was at the very basis of Venetian power. The two globes in the centre of the hall date from the same period: one shows the sphere of the heavens, the other the surface of Earth.
* The Erizzo Room owes its name to Doge [[Francesco Erizzo]] (1631–1646) and is decorated in the same way as the preceding ones: a carved wood ceiling, with gilding against a light-blue background, and a Lombardy-school fireplace. From here, a small staircase leads up to a window that gave access to a roof garden.
*The Stucchi or Priùli Room has a double name due to both the [[stucco]] works that adorn the vault and lunettes, dating from the period of Doge [[Marino Grimani (doge)|Marino Grimani]] (1595–1605), and the presence of the armorial bearings of Doge [[Antonio Priuli (doge)|Antonio Priuli]] (1618–1623), which are to be seen on the fireplace, surmounted by allegorical figures. The stucco-works on the walls and ceiling were later commissioned by another Doge [[Pietro Grimani]] (1741–1752). Various paintings representing the life of Jesus Christ are present in this room, as well as a portrait of King [[Henry III of France]] (perhaps by [[Tintoretto]]) due to his visit to the city in 1574 on his way from [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]] to take up the French throne left vacant with the death of his brother [[Charles IX of France|Charles IX]].
* Directly linked to the Shield Hall, the Philosophers' Room takes its name from the twelve pictures of ancient philosophers which were set up here in the 18th century, to be later replaced with allegorical works and portraits of Doges. To the left, a small doorway leads to a narrow staircase, which enabled the Doge to pass rapidly from his own apartments to the halls on the upper floors, where the meetings of the Senate and the Great Council were held. Above the other side of this doorway, there is an important fresco of ''[[St. Christopher]]'' by [[Titian]].
* The Corner Room's name comes from the presence of various paintings depicting Doge [[Giovanni I Cornaro|Giovanni Corner]] (1625–1629). The fireplace, made out of [[Carrara marble]], is decorated with a frieze of winged angels on dolphins around a central figure of [[St. Mark's Lion]]. Like the following room, this served no specific function; set aside for the private use of the Doge.
* The Equerries Room was the main access to the Doge's private apartments. The palace equerries were appointed for life by the Doge himself and had to be at his disposal at any time.