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Constructed around 1340 on top of older buildings, the familiar modern appearance of the Palazzo Ducale is the result of extensions in 1424. As in numerous Italian communal palaces of the period, the ground floor is an open arcade. Above this rises the compact main block with council chambers.
The palace rests on two graceful rows of arches, so that it is mainly the pointed tracery ornament of the upper part that determines the overall impression. In engineering terms, everything seems upside down. The solid top story rests all its weight on delicate arches, which carry the heavy burden with apparent ease and elegance.
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