The Palazzo della Ragione (also called Palazzo del Comune) is located between the Piazza dei Signori and the Piazza delle Erbe in Verona. Over the course of history it has held a large number of functions. Today it is the seat of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti.
Palazzo della Ragione Verona
Address, opening hours and entrance fee
Address: Piazza dei Signori – 37121 Verona (tel. +39 0458001903). Opening Hours: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Torre dei Lamberti and the museum are both included in the same ticket.
History
The Palazzo della Ragione was built towards the end of the 12th century in order to house the city’s magistrates. It originally looked almost like a fortress, with four sturdy corner towers, two of which are still standing.
On the right is the Cortile del Mercato Vecchio, where in ancient times the city’s market was held. From this courtyard you climb the Scala della Ragione, a staircase that leads to the court. (A semi-hidden passage under this staircase leads to the Torre dei Lamberti).
The Palazzo della Ragione in the course its history was the seat of successively the Comune, the Pretura (District Court) and (from 1875) the Court of Assizes. During the Venetian rule it functioned as a court of justice, prison, office of the Council of Notaries and grain store.
The wing located on the Piazza delle Erbe side is owned by private individuals and is used partly as housing and partly as retail space.
The most extensive renovations to the Palazzo del Comune took place in the 19th century. With varying success, attempts were made to restore the original structure.
The facade of alternating rows of brick and tuffstone, with triforas and arches, still dates back to the Romanesque period, although some changes were made during a restoration in 1524.
The Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti is located on the first floor of the Palazzo della Ragione.