Upper section of bell tower surmounting the 13th Century Palazzo dei Priori, Tuscany’s oldest seat of continuous local government, in Piazza dei Priori, Volterra, Tuscany, Italy. Today, the Palazzo dei Priori is Volterra’s Town Hall.
Volterra, Tuscany, Italy: upper section of bell tower surmounting the Palazzo dei Priori, in Piazza dei Priori, also known as Piazza Maggiore, an ancient square at the heart of the town. The Palazzo dei Priori was commissioned in 1208 by Ildebrando Pannocchieschi, count palatine of the Holy Roman Empire, and its design and construction entrusted to the master Riccardo da Como. Construction progressed slowly and was not completed until 1257. The original name of the building was Domus Communis or Palazzo del Comune and it was used by Volterra’s leaders as a residence. The leaders consisted of 24 elders (Anziani), who in 1283 were replaced by 18 Priors of the People (Priori del Popolo), and in 1289 by 12 Defenders of the People (Difensori del Popolo). Other names for the palace are Palazzo del Popolo and Municipio (Town Hall). It is Tuscany’s oldest seat of continuous local government and today is Volterra’s Town Hall. The palace is built entirely of stone. The facade is decorated with enamelled terracotta plaques representing coats of arms of Florentine families: in 1452 the Medici conquered Volterra and the town was governed by Florentine Commissioners. Today the palace is home to part of the municipal offices (registry office, mayor's office, city council room, etc.), as well as temporary exhibitions.
Size: 2592px × 3872px
Location: Palazzo dei Priori, Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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