Palazzo del Capitano (Captain’s Palace), also called “Palazzo Nuovo” (New Palace), stands out beside Palazzo del Popolo (People’s Palace). Unlike the first and more ancient building, it was built at the end of the 13th century, around 1293, together with Palazzo dei Priori (Priors’ Palace).
From a structural point of view, the Gothic building consists of three floors: a loggia (open gallery) on the ground floor, three-light and four-light windows supported by small columns and framed by arches and gables on the two upper floors. The architectural peculiarity of the building is its monumental diagonal staircase overlooking Piazza del Popolo and allowing entrance to both Palaces.
Palazzo del Capitano currently houses the Municipal offices and museums. The hall of the same name (sala “del Capitano”) on the first floor shields the remains of some frescoes dating back to the 14th century and a section of the Museo Etrusco-Romano (Etruscan-Roman Museum), where a copy of the renowned Mars of Todi is kept (the original is at the Vatican Museums). On the second floor, instead, the Museo Pinacoteca (Municipal Picture Gallery) is located.