Broletto di Como (Old Town Hall)

Town Hall in Como

Orta San Giulio - Palazzo Communale
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wolfgang Sauber

“Broletto” is an old term originating from the Medieval Latin word “brolo,” which referred to a broad, walled field where town meetings were held. Over time, the brolo or broletto evolved into the Town Hall. Citizens would gather in front of the municipal building, summoned by a bell installed in the tower. Eventually, the Old Town Hall of Como was repurposed as a theatre and a communal archive. Today, it serves as a venue for exhibitions and events.

The Old Town Hall, historically the seat of the municipality of Como, is located on Vittorio Emanuele II Street, adjacent to the Como Cathedral. Its Gothic facade is made of polychrome marble sourced from local quarries, and it features a civic tower constructed from rusticated stone. According to a plaque on the main facade, just beneath the left window, the building was erected in 1215 under the direction of Bonardo da Cadazzo, the mayor of Como at the time.

The architectural style of the Old Town Hall is a blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance elements, with portions of the facade dating back to the 15th century. Over the centuries, the building underwent several modifications, particularly to accommodate the construction of the Como Cathedral. In the 20th century, the Old Town Hall was restored to its original structure.

The Broletto di Como (Old Town Hall) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Como!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting Broletto di Como (Old Town Hall)

Address: Broletto - Como, Piazza del Duomo, Como, Province of Como, Italy

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs