The Palazzo dei Consoli, clearly visible even from afar, is located in the historic center of Gubbio. Its facade overlooks Piazza Grande, a hanging terrace and the political hub of the 14th-century city.
The building houses the Civic Museum, where the Eugubine Tables can be seen, a valuable bronze testimony of the Umbrian language.
The palace was erected between 1332 and 1349 based on a design by Angelo da Orvieto (remembered in an inscription carved above the entrance arch) with the contribution of Matteo di Giovannello, known as il Gattapone.
With a rectangular plan, it features a soaring Gothic style emphasized by vertical pilasters dividing the front into three distinct parts.
The first floor is occupied by the portal, accessible via a fan-shaped staircase; in the lunette is a fresco by Bernardino di Nanni of Eugenia with the Madonna and Child between Saint John the Baptist and Saint Ubaldo (1495). The painting was heavily modified during the 16th century by Benedetto Nucci. On either side of the portal are two centrally arched biforas.
The second floor is adorned with six centrally arched windows topped by a dentilled cornice connecting the arches.
The palace has a crenellated crown embellished with pointed arches; on the left rises the bell tower.
The right side and the rear, visible from Via dei Consoli, maintain forms very similar to the facade. On the left flank, another building section was added, made up of a portico descending to Via Baldassini.
The Arengo hall occupies the entire first floor, covered by magnificent barrel vaults, and also hosts part of the city’s stone collection.
The Palazzo dei Consoli, like the unfinished Palazzo Pretorio, was built during the first half of the 14th century at a time of strong city expansion. There was a need to provide an adequate public space reflecting the economic and political power that Gubbio now exercised over its territory. Hence, the ancient Platea Communis in the upper part was abandoned, and a splendid hanging square was created just below, a directional center intended to border all the districts, but remain external to each of them, thus serving as an impartial meeting point for political matters.
Information about Palazzo dei Consoli
Piazza Grande, 1
06024 Gubbio (Perugia)
0759274298
serviziculturali@comune.gubbio.pg.it
https://www.comune.gubbio.pg.it
Source: MIBACT
