In Piazza IV Novembre, in the heart of Perugia, sits one of the most beautiful and elegant palaces of the Medieval Commune period. It is Palazzo dei Priori (Palace of the Priors), one of the most important and significant monuments of Perugia.
It was built in 1293-97, but it underwent a series of changes until 15000. It is located in the city centre, now as it was then the crux of the political and social life of the community. It was built to provide an appropriate seat to the Magistrature Body, but especially because Perugia was at the peak of its expansion and wanted to celebrate its achievements and great communal ambitions.
The building overlooks Piazza IV Novembre on one side and Corso Vanucci on the other. It is about 120 metres (390 feet) long, 28 metres (90 feet) wide, and 30 metres (98 feet) tall. It is made of white travertine of Assisi and Bettona white and pink stone. The structure we see today is the result of various enlargement projects carried out in three different periods.
The project is designed in Gothic style, the first intervention – between 1333 and 1353 – was carried out near the Church of San Severo, with the construction of the three arches on the right of the facade in front of the fountain. The second intervention was made on the side that overlooks Corso Vanucci – between 1429 and 1443 – with the extension of the arch above Via dei Priori. The third and last is still on the side on Corso Vanucci towards Piazza della Repubblica, designed by the Perugian architect Alessi.
The entrance at the end of the staircase on Piazza IV Novembre leads to Sala dei Notari (Room of the Notaries). Above the door, a griffon and a lion dominate the whole square (the originals are currently kept at the National Gallery of Umbria). On the side on Corso Vanucci, the extension works match seamlessly the beauty of the original features. A wonderful series of three-light windows on the first floor recall the style of the ones on the facade. The three Patron Saints of Perugia are majestically carved on the main door: Saint Ercolano, Saint Costanzo and Saint Lawrence. The portal was built in 1346 and is the work of great mastery, with several whittled decorations depicting various scenes of city life.
All the upper perimeter of the palace is decorated with merlons, which are typical of communal architecture and for this reason were removed by the State of the Church when Perugia was under its rule. They were restored after the unification of Italy.
Today Palazzo dei Priori houses the seat of the Municipality of Perugia and the National Gallery of Umbria. The following rooms are also open to the public: Sala dei Notari, Sala del Consiglio, sala del Nobile collegio del Cambio, Sala del Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia and the chapel of the priors.