Palazzo Pretorio, Medieval palace in Piazza dei Priori, Volterra, Italy
Palazzo Pretorio is a stone palace featuring a pentagonal tower with two crenellated levels and a facade adorned with cornice moldings and semi-circular battlements. The building occupies a prominent location at Piazza dei Priori and currently serves as the seat of municipal administration with spaces for temporary exhibitions.
Construction began in 1208 under Count Ildebrando Pannocchieschi, directed by master builder Riccardo from Como. An inscription on the building records its completion in 1257.
The council chamber displays a 1383 fresco showing the Annunciation with saints Giusto, Ottaviano, Cosma, and Damiano. This work represents one of the most important artworks you can view inside the building today.
The building houses municipal offices including the civil registry and mayor's office that you can observe during a visit. It is worth checking beforehand if temporary exhibitions are on display, since these spaces are typically open to the public.
Between two ground-floor openings, an inscription displays the 'canna volterrana', a medieval measurement unit equivalent to about 2.5 meters. This marking shows how craftspeople and merchants in the city once measured their work.
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