Palazzo del Podestà

About the museum

The Palazzo del Podestà stands beside the Palazzo della Ragione and the Vescovado (bishop's palace), and overlooks Piazza Duomo and Piazza Vecchia. It was built in the second half of the twelfth century by the Suardi-Colleoni family around the Torre Civica, the Campanone, the oldest documented structure in the area. A document of 1197 mentions it for the first time as the residence of the Podestà, the foreign magistrate who held office for six months to govern the comune.

With Venetian rule, which began in 1428, the palace was extended and housed the chancery of the Venetian Podestà. In 1481 the wooden loggias were replaced by stone loggias, which form the Renaissance cavedio (inner courtyard), still the heart of the building today and decorated with fresco cycles. In 1502 a floor was added for the Sala dei Giuristi, seat of the judges of the Serenissima, frescoed in 1577.

From the nineteenth century the palace lost its administrative and judicial functions and, in the twentieth century, it was also reused as a court and as public housing. The restoration works from 2001 to 2011 brought to light, on the ground floor, remains recognised as the southern part of the Roman forum. In 2012 the Museo del Cinquecento, devoted to Bergamo in the days of the Serenissima, was opened in the rooms around the cavedio.

Highlights

• Renaissance cavedio with stone loggias and frescoes
• Archaeological excavations of the Roman forum on the ground floor
• Museo del Cinquecento on Bergamo under Venetian rule
• Sala dei Giuristi, frescoed in 1577
• Single ticket including the Campanone, the Civic Tower of Piazza Vecchia

Permanent exhibition

• Museo del Cinquecento – Route devoted to Bergamo in the days of the Serenissima, set up in the rooms around the Renaissance cavedio. On the ground floor the excavations of the Roman forum can be visited.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia

Visitors per year

approx. 15,121

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes Palazzo del Podestà, the Museo del Cinquecento and the Campanone. Free admission also for the Friends of the Museo storico di Bergamo, ICOM members, journalists, licensed guides and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia. The seven sites of the museum network can be visited with the single ticket “All in one”, valid for 48 hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum's website does not describe the access conditions to the palace. Small dogs are allowed only in carriers; guide dogs for blind people are always allowed.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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