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The Civic Palaces
 The
palaces were constructed at the initiative and expense of the civic
or religious community, meant to expedite within their walls the
political, cultural or religious affairs of the community.
The most famous and ancient of these palaces rise from the ruins
of the old Etruscan and Roman cities and have undergone notable
reconstruction through the centuries. Among these to be noted are:
(XII century) PALAZZO DEL CONSIGLIO COMUNALE The palace of the city
council was raised together with the autonomous Comune in the twelfth
century on the ruins of the Forum of the Roman city at the crossroads
of the Decumano (the main Roman road) and the Cardo (the axis road).
Originally a single large hall was built placed at the height of
the top of the modern day staircase and was used for council meetings.
Clear traces of the ancient construction can be noted on the right
side of the building which faces Piazza Signorelli. In the 1500's
it was extended to the left side beyond the what is now Via Roma
and above the arch passing over this street connecting the two buildings
and the bell tower was raised. The large entrance stairway was also
constructed at this time. In the following years the building underwent
numerous reworks and in 1896 it was restored following the whims
of the architect Castelluci, the same Cortonese architect who designed
the present day facade of the church of Santa Margherita. On the
side of the building that faces Piazza Signorelli, there is a column
which was raised in 1508 and supports a Florentine sandstone.
In the Council Hall which can be reached by the staircase near the
column, there is a fireplace, one found in the Sernini palace in
Piazza Alfieri, carved in stone and the work of G.B. Infregliati,
also known as Cristofanello (XVI century)
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