Palazzo comunale, Municipal palace in Modena, Italy

Palazzo comunale is not a single building but the result of 17th- and 18th-century renovation of structures begun in 1046, closing the eastern and northern sides of Piazza Grande with its portico. The north wing contains the Sala delle Bifore, where part of the earlier medieval facade, set back a few metres, has come to light.

The building has functioned as the seat of Modena's municipal government since the 12th century. Through the medieval period, the structure evolved and adapted as the city's administrative needs changed over time.

The palace communicates its identity through frescoes depicting Roman history scenes that line its interior walls. These artworks reveal how the city connected itself to classical heritage and understood its own importance within the region.

The building is open to visitors on weekdays and limited weekend hours, though group access requires advance booking. It is best to check opening times before your visit, as these may change seasonally or for special events.

The wooden bucket kept in the Camerino dei Confirmati is the Secchia Rapita, taken from a Bolognese well after the 1325 Battle of Zappolino. A chronicle found in the 17th century recounts the theft, and Alessandro Tassoni made the bucket the title of his 1622 mock-heroic poem.