Palazzo dei Priori, Gothic palace in Piazza del Popolo, Todi, Italy
Palazzo dei Priori is a palace with Gothic architecture standing on Todi's main central square. The structure displays pointed arches and stone walls characteristic of the Gothic style, with Renaissance windows later added across its facade.
Construction of the palazzo began in the late 1200s and took shape through major expansions between 1334 and 1347. These extensions on its right side established the building's form as seen today.
The palace now houses the Pretura, the Italian magistrate's court, rather than the town hall. In the Sala delle Udienze, fourteenth-century frescoes cover the walls, and the room today serves as the seat of the cultural association Photodi. The bronze eagle on the facade, cast by Giovanni di Gigliaccio in 1339, is known as the Aquila di Todi.
The palazzo sits on Todi's main square, making it easy to locate and surrounded by other historic buildings. The square itself is flat and walkable, serving as a natural gathering point for exploring the medieval town center.
Local legend tells that an eagle snatched a settler's map and dropped it on the hilltop where Todi now stands, marking the city's founding. This tale connects directly to the bronze eagle sculpture adorning the palazzo, linking the building to the city's origin story.
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