{"id":10528,"date":"2019-06-29T18:26:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T16:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.terredipisa.it\/?post_type=attrazione&p=10528"},"modified":"2024-03-07T21:32:31","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T20:32:31","slug":"volterra-palazzo-dei-priori","status":"publish","type":"attrazione","link":"https:\/\/www.terredipisa.it\/en\/attrazione\/volterra-palazzo-dei-priori\/","title":{"rendered":"Volterra | Palazzo dei Priori (the Priors Palace)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Piazza dei Priori<\/strong> is the centre of the medieval city, whose past splendour is witnessed by the buildings facing it, including Palazzo dei Priori<\/strong>, the oldest municipal building in Tuscany<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Now the Town Hall of Volterra, the Palace was begun in 1208 but not completed until 1257 with the addition of a second building along what is now Via Turazza.<\/p>\n

Its location<\/strong> is not accidental: it was meant to demonstrate the supremacy and autonomy of the Municipality over the Bishop’s power, represented by the Cathedral and Baptistery behind it.<\/p>\n

The fa\u00e7ade<\/strong> has undergone several changes over time, starting in 1472, when the mighty lions and coats of arms of the Florentine governors were placed there after the conquest of Volterra.<\/p>\n

The interior, at ground floor, has an engraving that represents the medieval unit of measuremen<\/strong>t: it was called “canna volterrana” and differed from those used in neighbouring cities.<\/p>\n

On the first floor is the Sala del Consiglio Comunale (City Council Chamber<\/strong>) with a beautiful double-cross vaulted ceiling from 1516, replacing the original one with wooden beams. On the wall a fresco by Iacopo di Cione Orcagna (1383) of the Annunciation with four figures of Saints: Cosma and Damiano, Giusto and Ottaviano.<\/p>\n

Above the main body stands the high tower that makes the palace more like a fortification than a public building. A breathtaking view of Volterra and the Cecina Valley from the top.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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