Palazzo della Ragione and Torre dell'Orologio, Mantua

The Palazzo della Ragione was built at the instigation of the then mayor (podestà) Guido da Correggio in the years 1242-1250. Its two-aisled ground floor, open on all sides, served as a market hall and courtroom for public trials; on the upper floor - formerly accessible via an external staircase - there is an elongated council chamber, which was used for council meetings, receptions and for representation purposes. In the 15th century, on the one hand, the ground floor was enlarged by a blind portico; on the other hand, a tower with an astronomical clock (Torre dell'Orologio) was added in the south-west corner of the building, and the upper floor has also been accessible via the internal staircase since then. Sometime around 1700, the outer walls of the first floor were bricked up - the resulting rooms were converted into restaurants, pubs or cafes; however, the portico in front was retained. Exhibitions are sometimes held in the former council chamber.

he Palazzo della Ragione was built between 1242 and 1250 at the instigation of the mayor at the time (podestà) Guido da Correggio. Its two-aisled ground floor, open on all sides, served as a market hall and courtroom for public trials; on the upper floor - formerly accessible via an external staircase - there is an elongated council chamber, which was used for council meetings, receptions and for representation purposes. In the 15th century, on the one hand, the ground floor was enlarged by a blind portico; on the other hand, a tower with an astronomical clock (Torre dell'Orologio) was added in the south-west corner of the building, and the upper floor has also been accessible via the internal staircase since then. Sometime around 1700, the outer walls of the first floor were bricked up - the resulting rooms were converted into restaurants, pubs or cafes; however, the portico in front was retained. Exhibitions are sometimes held in the former council chamber.

The Palazzo della Ragione is located in the central Piazza delle Erbe in Mantua. The ancient seat of the civic assemblies and ancient courts of justice, it followed the most important events of the city several centuries ago. It is a beautiful building overlooking a beautiful square; the interior is somewhat bare, just a large space where exhibitions or other events occasionally take place.
An interesting visit to the tower, inside which is a small museum dedicated to the measurement of time and the mechanisms of the tower clock itself. From the top floor you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city and in particular of Piazza delle Erbe.
Free entry if you have the MantovaCard, which I recommend buying, because for € 20 you can visit almost all the museums and historical buildings in the city, plus travel on public transport.