Palazzo della Ragione, Gothic palace in Città Alta, Bergamo, Italy
Palazzo della Ragione is a Gothic building in the upper part of Bergamo featuring a grand hall supported by slender columns and topped with an ornate wooden ceiling. The interior displays intricate carved details and geometric designs typical of medieval craftsmanship throughout its main spaces.
Built in the 12th century, the structure served as city hall and court, reflecting Bergamo's desire for self-rule during the medieval period. It became the seat of civic administration and justice as the city exercised its independence.
The building served as the seat of city government and justice, embodying the self-governance that medieval Bergamo pursued. Today, visitors can sense how power and civic life were organized within these walls.
The building sits in the old town on a hilltop, so climbing to reach it requires some effort and fitness. Once inside, plan time to wander through the different halls and view the ceiling details from various angles within the space.
The wooden ceiling was constructed entirely without nails or modern fasteners, relying instead on traditional joinery techniques that still hold the structure together today. This engineering method allowed craftsmen to span a large area without internal supports, a remarkable achievement for medieval construction.
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