Castell'Arquato - Palazzo del Podestà

The Old Town of Castell'Arquato is located on a a high rock dominating the valley.

In it´s center is the Palazzo del Podestà, commissioned in 1292 by Alberto Scotti, a smart power broker, who as well planned and started the erection of the "Palazzo Gotico" in Piacenza (previous uploads).

The palace was later the seat the Podestà, a kind of regional government. The stairs, the pillars and the outer roof were added in the 15th century.

The building is made up by terracotta bricks and once housed as well the "Loggia dei Notari" - now used by the Tourist Office. The palace is just opposite the (older) Collegiata di Santa Maria.

The bricks used are pretty soft - and so perfect to carve in a graffito.