The transformation of the Town Hall: from monastic origins to government suppression

The Town Hall is located in the old premises of the monastery of Santa Marta. Founded in 1517 on the initiative of the municipality, the monastery welcomed the nuns from the monastery of Santa Scolastica in Buggiano. The nuns lived there until 1866, when the Italian government ordered the suppression of the convents. With the transfer of the monastic community to Montecatini Alto, in the monastery of Santa Maria in Ripa, the building was acquired by the municipality.

The Intervention of Giovanni Paciarelli in 1881

To make the old monastery suitable for the new function of Palazzo Comunale, in 1881 an important redevelopment project was started, led by the Sienese architect Giovanni Paciarelli. Paciarelli concentrated mainly on the façade, giving it a modern and representative appearance. The changes included the creation of a draft front, a loggia and a serene stone terrace, giving the building its current elegant appearance.

Preservation of the Original Monastic Structure

Despite the external changes, the interior of the Town Hall and the vast seventeenth-century cloister still retain elements of the original monastic structure. These historical details testify to the origins and long history of the building, making it an important cultural and historical landmark for the community.

The Town Hall, with its rich history ranging from the foundation of the monastery of Santa Marta to its transformation into a municipal office, is a fascinating example of adaptation and preservation of the architectural heritage. The changes made by the architect Giovanni Paciarelli have allowed to preserve the historical memory of the place, integrating it perfectly with modern needs.

This harmonious structure between past and present not only continues to serve as an administrative center, but also remains a symbol of the resilience and continuous evolution of the city.