About

Piazza della Repubblica is the heart of the historical center of Cortona. In Roman times the forum was located here, at the crossroads between the main axial streets of the town, the cardo (running north-south) and the decumano (running East-West). The beautiful Town Hall, dating back to the twelfth century and conceived for council meetings since the Middle Ages, overlooks the square. The impressive bell tower and the imposing entrance stairway were built in the sixteenth century. On the right-hand side of the palace a column represents the Florentine lion, which is the symbol of Cortona. In front of the Town Hall you can see the Palace of the Capitano del Popolo, built in the thirteenth century, residence of famous cardinal Silvio Passerini. In the past it was crenellated and had a tower on top, but it underwent such big transformations over the centuries that it has lost its original form. If you take via Guelfa you can then admire the magnificent Palazzo Cristofanello-Laparelli, built in the sixteenth century, with a facade made of worked stone that is characterized by large arched windows and a loggia on the upper floor. Today the palace is the seat of a bank, the Banca Popolare di Cortona.