Palazzo Comunale, Town hall in Piazza Aurelio Saffi, Forlì, Italy
The Palazzo Comunale is the town's administrative center located on the main plaza and features multiple halls connected by a narrow gallery on the upper floor. A grand staircase ascends to these rooms, which are decorated with painted walls.
Construction of the palace began around 1000 on the site of an older tower and became the residence of the Ordelaffi family in 1412. Over the following centuries, the building was expanded and renovated multiple times to meet changing needs.
The Council Hall features frescoes by Felice Giani and earlier works by Francesco Menzocchi that cover the walls with rich colors and detailed imagery. These paintings represent different artistic periods layered together within the same room.
The interior can be visited during office hours, with guided group tours available by advance reservation at the municipal office. It is worth checking opening hours ahead of time and arranging group visits in advance for the best experience.
In 1488, Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, was thrown from a window of this building, an event that triggered a period of significant political disorder. This violent act marked a turning point in the family's control of the city.
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