Palazzo Pretorio, City palace in Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Italy
Description
Palazzo Pretorio is a city palace in Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, that rises over three levels with a Renaissance Revival facade featuring eight windows and nine balconies on the main floor. The structure serves as the city's town hall and houses spaces used for municipal government work.
History
Construction of the palace began in 1463 under Giacomo Benfante's direction as an important civic project for Palermo. Major renovations between 1873 and 1875 by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda gave it the Renaissance Revival appearance visible today.
Culture
The building displays a marble statue of Saint Rosalia above its cornice and decorative eagles at the corners, earning its nickname Palace of Eagles. These ornaments shape how people see the square and form part of daily life in this central area of the city.
Practical
The palace functions as the seat of city government and houses the Sala Rossa for mayoral business and the Sala Gialla for municipal council sessions. Visitors should check ahead about which areas are open, as some rooms are in active use for government work.
Did you know?
The central courtyard contains frescoes and a statue depicting Palermo and Rome clasping hands, symbolizing the historical connection between the two cities. This artwork is often overlooked despite representing an interesting link to Palermo's place in Italian history.
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