Il Palazzo Comunale, also known as Palazzo Albornoz, overlooks Piazza del Popolo. Its origins date back to 1359, when Cardinal Albornoz, after conquering Cesena and expelling the Ordelaffi, wanted to erect a palace-fortress, a worthy seat for the representatives of the Papal State. The current Palace is the result of numerous transformations that led to the unification of two pre-existing buildings: the palatium vetus, the public palace from the communal era (12th-13th centuries) and the palatium novum or Governor’s palace.
Little remains of the original ancient building: the Palace underwent expansions and embellishments from the 15th to the 17th century; the beautiful current loggia on Piazza del Popolo dates back to the 18th-century renovations. In this loggia, covered by ribbed vaults, commemorative plaques with bas-relief portraits of illustrious Cesena figures, works by sculptors Tullio Golfarelli and Paolo Grilli, are embedded.
The reception hall on the first floor, accessible via an imposing two-flight staircase, still preserves its magnificence, with walls divided by painted Ionic columns. The so-called “Hall of Mirrors,” thanks to the original Louis XVI style furnishings, walls decorated with mirrors, tapestry, and the splendid Murano glass chandelier, still today fully restores the ancient splendor. In the Council Hall and other adjoining rooms, valuable works of art are preserved.
Information about the Town Hall
Piazza del Popolo, 11
Cesena (Forlì-Cesena)
0547 356235
https://serviziweb.comune.cesena.fc.it/palazzo%20comunale/INDEXF.HTM
Source: MIBACT
