Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Medieval palace in Piazza Matteotti, Perugia, Italy.
The Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo is a 15th-century palace on Piazza Matteotti in Perugia that blends Renaissance and Gothic features. The building displays twisted columns, four bifore windows decorated with carved details, and a sturdy structure that reflects medieval craftsmanship and design principles.
The palace was built between 1473 and 1481 under architects Gasparino d'Antonio and Leone di Matteo. After an earthquake in 1741 damaged the upper floor, the building was reconstructed to its current form.
The entrance portal displays two griffins holding a calf and a ram, symbols that conveyed medieval ideas about order and legal authority. These carved figures reflected the building's purpose as a seat of civic power and justice.
The building currently serves as a courthouse and is accessible during court hours, though some areas may be restricted to the public. The adjacent Loggia dei Lanari exhibition space offers visitors an additional area to explore and provides more context for the complex.
The square where it stands was established in the 13th century atop a steep cliff and was formerly known as Piazza Sopramuro. This location shows how the medieval city created public gathering spaces on challenging terrain.
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