Cerchia dei Navigli in Milano in Città Metropolitana di Milano, Lombardy, Italy — Southern and Western Europe (Mediterranean)

Palazzo della Ragione

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 15, 2023

1. Palazzo della Ragione Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Costruito tra il 1228 e il 1233 per volere del podestà Oldrado da Tresseno, è uno dei più importanti palazzi pubblici lombardi di età medievale. Era la sede nella quale si amministrava la giustizia. Durante la dominazione austriaca viene sopraelevato da Francesco Croce con la fascia dei finestroni ellittici e destinato ad archivio notarile (1773-1961). La struttura è assai semplice: al piano terreno un grande portico, con archi a tutto sesto impostati su pilastri in pietra (le volte attuali sostituirono nel 1771-73 l'originale solaio ligneo); al piano superiore una vasta e unica sala (50 x 18 m) coperta da capriate rifatte nel 1726. Le facciate, scandite da eleganti trifore in cotto, sono caratterizzate dall'uso della pietra e del laterizio. In una nicchia al centro del lato che dà sulla piazza è collocata la statua equestre del fondatore. Sul fronte opposto, un bassorilievo in pietra raffigura la "scrofa semilanuta", animale legato al mito di fondazione della città (medio-lanum). Il palazzo, restaurato negli anni 80, è oggi sede di esposizioni temporanee.

Built in 1228-33

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for podestà Oldrado da Tesseno, this is one of Lombardy's most important public buildings from medieval times, when it was the seat of city justice. During Austrian rule an extra storey with a row of elliptical windows was added by Francesco Croce and it became a notarial archive (1773-1961). The structure is relatively simple: a large ground-floor portico with round arches on stone pillars and a vaulted ceiling (which replaced the previous wooden ceiling in 1771-73), and an upper floor with a large, single chamber (50x18 metres) whose beams were replaced in 1726. The stone and brick façades have elegant three-light terracotta windows. An equestrian statue of the founder occupies a niche on the side facing the square. A stone bas-relief on one street-side arch depicts a sow half covered with wool, around which a legend explaining the origin of the city's name (Medio-lanum, or "half wool") is based. The palace was restored in the 1980s and is now used for temporary exhibitions.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Milan Red-Gray Stelae series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1228.

Location. 45° 27.887′ N, 9° 11.249′ E. Marker is in Milano, Lombardia (Lombardy), in Città Metropolitana di Milano. It

Palazzo della Ragione Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 15, 2023

2. Palazzo della Ragione Marker - wide view

Looking east in Piazza dei Mercanti, with the marker and Palazzo visible on the left.

is in Cerchia dei Navigli. Marker is on Piazza dei Mercanti, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Piazza dei Mercanti 19, Milano, Lombardia 20123, Italy. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Piazza dei Mercanti / Merchants Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Piazza Duomo (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ernest Hemingway (about 120 meters away); Amatore Sciesa (about 150 meters away); Palazzo dell’Ambrosiana (about 180 meters away); Santa Maria presso San Satiro (about 210 meters away); Filippo Turati and Anna Kuliscioff (about 210 meters away); ‘Hotel Gestapo’ - L’Albergo Regina (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milano.

Also see . . . Palazzo della Ragione, Milan (Wikipedia).

Overview: The Palazzo della Ragione ("Palace of Reason") is a historic building of Milan, Italy, located in Piazza Mercanti, facing the Loggia degli Osii. It was built in the 13th century and originally served as a broletto (i.e., an administrative building) as well as a judicial seat. As it was the second broletto to be built in Milan, it is also known as the Broletto Nuovo ("new broletto").

(Submitted on April 25, 2023.)

Palazzo della Ragione - equestrian statue in niche, as mentioned on marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 15, 2023

3. Palazzo della Ragione - equestrian statue in niche, as mentioned on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 42 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 24, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.