Palazzo del Governatore
The Palazzo del Governatore is a historic civic palace on Piazza Garibaldi in the centre of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. Originally built between 1283 and 1285 as the “Palazzo dei Mercanti”, it later became the seat of the city’s Captain and Governor and today serves as a public exhibition space.
At a glance
- Type
- Civic palace
- Period
- Built 1283–1285; tower added 1673
- Style
- Late Romanesque origins, later remodelled
- Location
- Piazza Garibaldi, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Overview
The Palazzo del Governatore stands on the north side of Piazza Garibaldi, the central square of Parma formerly known as Piazza Nuova. It is one of the city’s principal civic landmarks. The building today functions as a public space hosting cultural exhibitions.
History
The palace was first built between 1283 and 1285 as the “Palazzo dei Mercanti”, following the demolition of earlier houses on the site. In late Romanesque style, it originally comprised two distinct buildings separated by the narrow San Marco lane, which no longer exists. Having lost its mercantile role, it became the seat of the city’s Captain and later of the Governor, the civil Auditor, and other municipal magistrates.
What you see
The building was entirely faced in brick, rising over a ground-floor portico, with mullioned windows on the upper floor and a crenellated crown. After the very high civic tower collapsed on 27 January 1606, destroying the town hall, the palace was renovated and unified by closing the San Marco lane with a vault. In 1673 a tower was raised over it to a design by the Piacenza engineer Gian Battista Barattieri, taking on the functions of the lost civic tower and keeping its ancient bell of 1453, replaced with a copy in 1998.
Cultural significance
The Palazzo del Governatore is a centrepiece of Parma’s main square and a record of the city’s medieval civic government. Its tower and clock face are among the most recognisable features of the historic centre.
Practical information
Address: Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi 19, 43100 Parma. Telephone: 0521 218929. For exhibition programmes and opening hours, check the official website palazzodelgovernatore.it.
Getting there
The palace is in the heart of Parma, a short walk from the railway station, which is served by the main Milan–Bologna line. By car, Parma is reached from the A1 Autostrada del Sole; the historic centre is largely pedestrian.
Sources & resources
Official site: palazzodelgovernatore.it · More cultural heritage guides at culturalheritageonline.com.