Broletto, Medieval town hall in Piazza del Duomo, Brescia, Italy.
The Broletto is a palazzo and administrative complex in Piazza del Duomo in Brescia, marked by two distinct towers including the 54-meter Tower of Pègol with its Ghibelline crenellations. The building continues to serve as the primary seat for municipal and provincial administration offices, maintaining its original governmental role.
Construction of this administrative complex began in 1187 as a Gothic structure during a period of urban expansion in Brescia. Extensive modifications followed the 1512 sack of the city during the War of the League of Cambrai.
The entrance portal displays monolithic pillars from Roman times made of Egyptian granite, which came from a demolished cathedral that once stood nearby. These ancient columns give the building's facade a distinctive character.
The plaza and exterior of the building are freely accessible to the public, offering views of the architectural details including the towers and entrance portal. Since the building functions as an administrative headquarters, the interiors are not open for general viewing, but the facade can be explored without restriction.
The Loggia delle Grida is a balcony on the building's upper level that was destroyed by French forces in 1797 and rebuilt in the 20th century. It once served as a platform where important announcements and decrees were proclaimed aloud to crowds gathered below.
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