Palazzo Marino, Town hall near Piazza della Scala, Milan, Italy
Palazzo Marino is a Renaissance-era administrative building near Piazza della Scala in Milan, serving today as the town hall. The central courtyard displays statues and decorated arches, while interior rooms feature frescoes, stucco work, and reliefs.
A Genoese merchant commissioned architect Galeazzo Alessi to design the structure in 1558, but work stopped in 1570 when the architect left the city. The building was later completed in the 18th century and has served as the seat of city government since 1861.
The name comes from Tommaso Marino, a Genoese merchant who built the structure as a private residence before it became the city's administrative center. Today, council members gather in historical rooms whose walls display artworks, while the courtyard often hosts public events.
Guided tours of selected rooms take place on Mondays and Thursdays and are free, but advance booking is required. Access is through the main entrance on Piazza della Scala, and visits typically last about an hour.
Construction initially faced opposition from Milan residents who considered the project excessive, but later the building became respected public property. In 1781 the structure passed into municipal ownership, ending its time as a private residence.
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