Palazzo Pretorio Museum
The Palazzo Pretorio is a historic building in Prato, Tuscany, the city’s former town hall, standing opposite the present Palazzo Comunale. It now houses the Civic Museum of Prato (Museo Civico), which reopened in September 2013 after a long restoration. The museum gathers paintings and sculpture documenting the artistic heritage of Prato.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic palace and civic museum
- Period
- Medieval building; museum reopened 2013
- Style
- Medieval Tuscan civic architecture
- Location
- Prato, Tuscany, Italy
Overview
The Palazzo Pretorio is a historical building in Prato, Tuscany. It was the old city hall, standing in front of the current Palazzo Comunale on the main civic square. Today it accommodates the Civic Museum of Prato, reopened to the public in September 2013.
History
The palace served as the seat of Prato’s government in the medieval and later periods, before civic functions moved to the adjacent Palazzo Comunale. After serving its administrative role, the building was adapted to house the city’s art collections. Following an extended programme of restoration, it reopened as the home of the Civic Museum in 2013.
What you see
The building presents the appearance of a medieval Tuscan civic palace, facing the square in the historic centre of Prato. Inside, the Civic Museum displays paintings and sculpture illustrating the artistic history of the city. The juxtaposition of the old town hall with the present Palazzo Comunale marks the civic heart of Prato.
Cultural significance
As both a historic seat of civic power and the home of the Museo Civico, the Palazzo Pretorio is a key monument of Prato’s heritage. Its collections preserve and present the city’s artistic tradition for visitors and scholars.
Practical information
The Palazzo Pretorio houses the Civic Museum in the centre of Prato. For current opening hours, admission and exhibitions, check the official museum website.
Getting there
The palace stands in the historic centre of Prato, easily reached on foot from the city’s railway stations. Prato lies a short distance north-west of Florence and is well connected by train and road within Tuscany.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
Historical events at this place (1)
- 2019 Dopo Caravaggio