The Porch and the Palazzo della Ragione

From Piazza Vecchia the covered arched porch of the Palazzo della Ragione extends south. It is full of interesting historical facts and monuments. To the right near the Caffe' del Tasso is a statue of the famous poet, Torquato Tasso, up on a column.

In the past there was an open court here and the condemned people were made to sit on a stone chair to be exposed to the public. Now the area is used for famous puppet shows with well-known characters such as Harlequin who originated in this province. Now the porch is the scene for filming, dancing, political and cultural events as well as wedding ceremonies and picture taking.

Be sure to see the sun meridian or sun dial built in 1798 on the ground of the porch and the disk hanging from the ceiling above - to the south -  where the sun shines through a hole in it down on the meridian.

The PALAZZO DELLA RAGIONE (Municipality) was built in the 12th century and can be visited on the inside when there are shows, exhibitions or public occasions. There are frescoes from the 1300s and 1400s. Most interesting are the three "Philosophers" by Bramante in 1477. It has a huge wooden beamed ceiling.