Palazzo Pretorio
Palazzo Pretorio
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
43 reviews
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,160 contributions
May 2022
Many of Arezzo’s sights are located in and around Piazza Grande. Palazzo Pretoria is just outside the piazza. If you leave via the Vasari Logge walkway, you will see it almost on your right, along Via dei Pileati.
What’s immediately striking is the unusual collection of heraldic coats of arms that cover the facade. They are of all sizes and shapes. None are the same and we couldn’t see any pattern or rhyme or reason as to where they were placed. Short of counting them, we couldn’t find out how many coats of arms there are either.
Lions and crowns featured heavily as popular symbols on the crests although we also spotted one with a stag, another with a bull’s head and another with 6 duck-like looking birds (which may have been ravens or some other bird).
Not surprisingly, the Medici crest with its 6 balls, was the largest of all.
Each one belonged to one of the many podestàs or 'Captain of the People’ who held office from the fifteenth century onwards. As chief magistrate, the podesta was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in Arezzo. They had authority and jurisdiction over the city, as well as the power to settle disputes and to rule on criminal and civil issues. At the end of their tenure, they fixed their crest on the facade as a testament to their good (or bad) government.
Originally, the podesta lived here. Later it was used as a prison and remained in use for about 300 years. Since 1954, it has housed the local public library which means that you can freely go inside.
What’s immediately striking is the unusual collection of heraldic coats of arms that cover the facade. They are of all sizes and shapes. None are the same and we couldn’t see any pattern or rhyme or reason as to where they were placed. Short of counting them, we couldn’t find out how many coats of arms there are either.
Lions and crowns featured heavily as popular symbols on the crests although we also spotted one with a stag, another with a bull’s head and another with 6 duck-like looking birds (which may have been ravens or some other bird).
Not surprisingly, the Medici crest with its 6 balls, was the largest of all.
Each one belonged to one of the many podestàs or 'Captain of the People’ who held office from the fifteenth century onwards. As chief magistrate, the podesta was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in Arezzo. They had authority and jurisdiction over the city, as well as the power to settle disputes and to rule on criminal and civil issues. At the end of their tenure, they fixed their crest on the facade as a testament to their good (or bad) government.
Originally, the podesta lived here. Later it was used as a prison and remained in use for about 300 years. Since 1954, it has housed the local public library which means that you can freely go inside.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yns_10
Sydney, Australia1,448 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The exterior of this 13 Century palazzo has a large number of coats of arms of prior citizens, worth a visit.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Borzov
Rijeka, Croatia5,292 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The palace was a seat of the People’s Captain until the end of the 13th century. The facade is decorated by the coat of arms belonging to captains, podestas and commissaries of the city. The building served as a prison from 1600 till 1926 and after the restoration it became the museum and later the library.
Written October 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul B
Abbotsford, Canada817 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
The Palazzo is one of many striking buildings in Arezzo. The Palazzo Pretorio, the remains of the ancient amphitheatre, and the Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro are all within easy walking distance. Arezzo is a great place for strolling and seeing the sites. There is plenty of history, ancient walls, narrow cobbled streets, and gardens. Piazza Grande and Piazza di Sant'Agostino are perfect for finding a small cafe and enjoying the day.
Written June 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFaro
Italy2,650 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The Praetorian Palace of Arezzo is a beautiful architecture between the Cathedral and the Piazza Grande. In medieval style, it has a very beautiful façade from which the coats of arms of family families can be seen.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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