Palazzo Comunale e Torre

Montepulciano’s town hall stands on Piazza Grande, its travertine façade and merloned tower recalling Florentine civic architecture. The palace was built over several centuries, with Michelozzo associated with its final design in the fifteenth century.

Why it matters

The Palazzo Comunale is one of the defining buildings of Montepulciano’s main square. Its appearance reflects the town’s long political relationship with Florence and its place within the architectural traditions of Tuscany.

What to notice

The lower façade is rusticated, while a gallery runs beneath the tower’s merlons. Inside, the courtyard has two facing loggias. From the tower, the view extends across the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia toward Monte Amiata and Lake Trasimeno.

Context and history

Construction began in the late fourteenth century and continued into the mid-fifteenth century. The town’s Pro Loco associates Michelozzo with the final design and notes the resemblance to Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio.