Broletto, Medieval civic building in Como, Italy
The Broletto is a medieval civic building at Piazza Duomo in Como featuring a Gothic facade with polychrome marble decorations. The ground floor showcases sandstone columns with marble capitals supporting rounded arches that create an open arcade system.
Construction of the Broletto started in 1215 under Mayor Bonardo da Codazzo and was later rebuilt in the Gothic style. The building lost one bay when the cathedral underwent its Gothic reconstruction.
The ground floor arcades once served as a gathering space where citizens assembled when summoned by the bell for municipal meetings and public announcements. This spot shaped daily life and communication in the medieval city.
The building is open to the public and serves as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural events. It is best visited during daytime hours when you can fully appreciate the architectural details in natural light.
The 1970s restoration uncovered the original ground floor columns that had been hidden for centuries beneath filled masonry. The columns were covered because street levels had been raised to address flooding concerns.
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