Palazzo Pretorio

Anghiari's Palazzo Pretorio preserves the history of Florentine government in the Valtiberina and continues to serve as the town hall.

Why it matters

Florentine vicars and podestà administered justice from the palace, and their stone coats of arms remain on its facade. The building connects the town's political history with its artistic and archaeological heritage.

What to notice

The facade displays the arms of successive magistrates. Inside, the former prison cells, court and chapel preserve the palace's judicial functions. Fifteenth-century frescoes include a figure of Justice attributed to Antonio di Anghiari. A Roman-era wine vat found within the building adds evidence of earlier activity on the site.

Context and history

The palace was built in the fourteenth century as the town's praetorian seat and retained its judicial role under Florentine rule. The office of vicar was later suppressed, and the commune acquired the building in 1890. Restoration completed by 1895 renewed its medieval appearance. The palace remains the civic centre of Anghiari and preserves material from several periods of the town's history.