Palazzo Comunale di Narni

Narni's City Hall grew from three medieval tower-houses purchased by the commune in 1273 and gradually combined into the present civic palace.

Why it matters

The palace preserves the history of Narni's medieval commune and its continued municipal government. Its facade and interior incorporate reused Roman and medieval objects, linking civic authority with the city's earlier history.

What to notice

The facade combines cross-shaped windows, inscriptions and carved reliefs. A Renaissance portal stands beside blocked Gothic openings. Reliefs depicting Judith and Holofernes, jousters and falconers were reused from the church of San Salvato. The atrium and courtyard contain Roman and medieval spolia, while the council chamber vestibule includes painted views of castles once belonging to Narni.

Context and history

In 1273 the commune purchased three tower-houses from local nobles and combined them through building works in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The resulting palace faced the Palazzo dei Priori across the ancient forum. A small court theatre developed on the upper floor and was abandoned after the Teatro Manini opened in the 1850s. Domenico Ghirlandaio's Coronation of the Virgin remained in the council chamber until 2007, when it was moved to the pinacoteca of Palazzo Eroli. The palace continues to serve as the seat of the commune.