The Palazzo Comunale of Tarquinia was built around the 13th century on top of the old city wall. This happended after a new wall had been constructed further to the south to protect the new houses built around the various monasteries.
Palazzo Comunale Tarquinia
Address, opening hours and ticket price
The address of the Palazzo Comunale is Piazza Giacomo Matteotti – 01016 Tarquinia.
History and description
The façade of the palace faces the Piazza del Comune. Although it looks homogeneous, it actually consists of two different buildings, namely the former Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo dei Priori.
The rear, in the Via di San Pancrazio, looks like a huge three-floor building with a series of Roman arches resting on pillars.
The windows on the second floor date back to the 16th century, when the already existing biforas were bricked up. Outlines of theses biforas can still be seen.
A large pointed arch that runs underneath the whole building connects the Via San Pancrazio and the Piazza del Comune.
The loggia at the front has been there since 1366, but the staircase leading up to it from the outsidewas added in the late 14th century. The cupola is a 16th century addition.
The tower and the part of the palazzo connected to it are the most important 16th century additions, however. The main entrance is located in this part. Climbing the stairs, one comes first to a courtyard and finally to the former meeting room. The frescoes decorating the meeting room date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and depict events and people that played a role in the city’s history.
The present meeting hall was used as a theater from the 17th to the beginning of the 20th century. It too is decorated with a 14th century fresco on the theme of the crucifixion.
On the walls there are also several works by the Chilean painter Sebastian Matta and a 15th century fresco, which was moved from the Convento Agostiniano di San Marco.