Palazzo del Podestà

The Palazzo del Podestà is situated on the Northern side of Piazza Maggiore and was built at the beginning of the 1200's. It was rebuilt between 1484 and 1494 in Renaissance style in accordance with a design by Aristotele Fioravanti on the ruins of the original medieval nucleus. It is surmounted by the Torre dell'Arengo, built in 1221, where a 49 quintal bell is kept and which rings only for the solemn happenings of the city.

Palazzo del Podestà is crossed by two roads in a large vault which has terracotta statues of the four Patrons of the city on its four corners. If one whispers against one of the corners of the vault it is possible to hear what was said from the opposite corner.

The upper lounge, frescoed by A. De Carolis, welcomed the Conclave which elected the anti-Pope, Giovanni XXIII, in 1410.