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About
Palazzo dei Priori is a Gothic palace in Perugia, located in Piazza IV Novembre, in the historical center of the city.
Palazzo dei Priori houses today the Municipal Offices of Perugia and, on the top floors, the National Gallery of Umbria (Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria).
SHORT HISTORY
Palazzo dei Priori was built in Gothic style between 1293 and 1443, a period divided into several construction phases. The irregularity of its facades is explained by the long course of construction, in which continuous additions and renovations were made.
First, between 1293 and 1297, the palace for the Captain of the People (Capitano del Popolo) was built by Giacomo di Servadio and Giovanello di Benevento.
Each of the two main floors of the palace comprised of a single large hall. The hall on the lower floor was originally known as the Council Hall (Sala del Consiglio), a hall used for meetings of the council which advised the Captain of the People. Later, the hall became known as the Hall of Notaries (Sala dei Notari). The hall on the second floor, known as Sala Podiani, belongs today to the National Gallery of Umbria.
Between 1333 and 1337, there was the first enlargement of the structure, when the right side of the palace was built. The new wing replaced the ancient Church of San Severo.
With the additions of 1353, the palace reached Via dei Priori. The last construction works, which took place between 1429 and 1443, saw the erection of the complex built on the other side of Via dei Priori.
The palace was greatly altered during the papal domination, but between 1862 and 1936 it was restored to its original appearance. In 1902, the architect Ambrogio Maitani replaced the old staircase with two access ramps overlooking the square with the current fan-shaped staircase.
THE MUSEUM
The National Gallery of Umbria is an Italian state museum which preserves the largest collection of Umbrian works of art, and some of the most significant works of art in central Italy, from the 13th to the 19th century. The works are exhibited in 40 rooms on two floors of Palazzo dei Priori.
HOW TO GET THERE
Palazzo dei Priori is located about 1.8 kilometers away from the Perugia railway station. The closest bus stop is in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, located about 170 meters away, on the bus Lines Z20 and Z21.
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