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The Palazzo della Ragione is one of the most important buildings in the historic city center of Padua, Italy. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Padua’s 14th century fresco cycles along with the piazzas on either side of the building.
History
Construction on the Palazzo della Ragione started in 1218 and it was expanded in 1306. The city council and courts occupied the building until 1797.
The Building
We approached the palace from the west side where we noticed a balcony surrounded by different coats of arms.
On the ground floor is a market with stalls selling meats, cheeses, and Paduan specialties. It’s called the Sottosalone.
On the upper floor is the Great Hall (Salone), which can be visited for €8 (as of June 2024) or free with the Padova Urbs Picta Card. Apparently it has the largest roof unsupported by columns in Europe. It’s covered by frescoes by Nicolò Miretto and Stefano da Ferrara, painted from 1425 to 1440. They replaced earlier frescoes painted by Giotto (1267-1337). We were unable to visit.
The south side of the palace contains a sundial. You can also get a good look at some of the frescoes under the portico of the upper level.
Piazza dei Frutti
The north side of the palace faces the Piazza dei Frutti, which is the traditional fruit and vegetable market of Padua.
Also on Piazza dei Frutti is the Tower of the Elders (Torre degli Anziani). It dates back to at least 1215 and was incorporated into two public buildings. It stands 47m tall and was once topped by a dome with bells. Today, it’s part of the City Hall (Palazzo Comunale), also known as the Palazzo Moroni, which is made up of a collection of municipal buildings.
Piazza delle Erbe
The south side of the palace faces Piazza delle Erbe, which is Padua’s historic market square. We walked through the market and found mostly fruits and vegetables.
On the west side of Piazza delle Erbe is the Palazzo delle Debite. Built in 1874, it sits on the site of a former debtor’s prison from which it takes its name. The old debtor’s prison was connected to the Palazzo della Ragione, and debtors were transferred to the prison directly after their trials.
On the east side of Piazza delle Erbe is the Palazzo del Podestà, which is part of Palazzo Moroni. Originally built in the 13th century, it was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt between 1539 and the early 1600s by architect Andrea Moroni.
Just east of Piazza delle Erbe is the Church of San Canziano (Chiesa di San Canziano), which dates back to at least 1034. Construction ended in 1595 and the façade has been attributed to Andrea Palladio (1508-1580).
