Palazzo Mezzabarba, Town hall at Piazza del Municipio, Pavia, Italy.
Palazzo Mezzabarba is a three-story palace with a T-shaped layout, organized around two courtyards connected by a colonnade. This covered passage leads to the building's grand staircase at its center.
The palace was built between 1726 and 1732 by architect Giovanni Antonio Veneroni for the Mezzabarba family. It became Pavia's city hall in 1875 and has served as the municipal administrative center ever since.
The ballroom now functions as the town council chamber and displays ceiling frescoes by Giovanni Angelo Borroni. These paintings depict the triumph of arts and sciences, shaping how visitors experience the interior today.
The building is open to visitors during standard working hours, and you can explore the public areas and courtyards. It is best to visit during office hours when the main spaces are accessible and the staff can provide information.
Next to the main palace stands a private chapel built in 1734 and dedicated to Saints Quirico and Giulitta. This small sacred space features gilded decorations and vault frescoes that many visitors overlook when exploring the site.
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