Palazzo Comunale - Piazza della Repubblica, Cortona
At Piazza della Repubblica in Cortona.
This was where our group went our own ways, and later met up again, before leaving the city.
Palazzo Comunale
The Palazzo Comunale was built simultaneously with the emergence of municipal autonomy in the twelfth century on the ruins of the Forum of the Roman city, at the crossroads between the Cardo and the Decumanus. Originally it consisted of a single large hall located at the end of today's staircase and intended for council meetings. Evident traces of this ancient building can be seen on the right-hand side that overlooks piazza Signorelli. In the sixteenth century it was enlarged on the left side beyond today's via Roma and the bell tower was raised above the arch that overlooks this street, uniting the two buildings. The large access staircase was also built. In later periods the building underwent considerable alterations and in 1896 it was restored in a completely arbitrary way by the architect Castellucci, the same one to whom Cortona owes the current facade of the church of Santa Margherita. On the side facing Piazza Signorelli there is a column erected in 1508 bearing the Florentine lion called the Marzocco, today almost illegible due to the deterioration of the pietra serena. In the Sala del Consiglio, which can be accessed from the staircase near the aforementioned column, there is a fireplace, formerly in Palazzo Sernini in Piazza Alfieri, carved in stone, the work of G. B. Infregliati called Cristofanello (16th century).
Palazzo Comunale - Piazza della Repubblica, Cortona
At Piazza della Repubblica in Cortona.
This was where our group went our own ways, and later met up again, before leaving the city.
Palazzo Comunale
The Palazzo Comunale was built simultaneously with the emergence of municipal autonomy in the twelfth century on the ruins of the Forum of the Roman city, at the crossroads between the Cardo and the Decumanus. Originally it consisted of a single large hall located at the end of today's staircase and intended for council meetings. Evident traces of this ancient building can be seen on the right-hand side that overlooks piazza Signorelli. In the sixteenth century it was enlarged on the left side beyond today's via Roma and the bell tower was raised above the arch that overlooks this street, uniting the two buildings. The large access staircase was also built. In later periods the building underwent considerable alterations and in 1896 it was restored in a completely arbitrary way by the architect Castellucci, the same one to whom Cortona owes the current facade of the church of Santa Margherita. On the side facing Piazza Signorelli there is a column erected in 1508 bearing the Florentine lion called the Marzocco, today almost illegible due to the deterioration of the pietra serena. In the Sala del Consiglio, which can be accessed from the staircase near the aforementioned column, there is a fireplace, formerly in Palazzo Sernini in Piazza Alfieri, carved in stone, the work of G. B. Infregliati called Cristofanello (16th century).