In Piazzetta delle Biade, attached to Piazza Maggiore, is the Palazzo Pretorio, now City Hall. The large hall, just beyond the threshold, evokes memories of Venice and its podestà.
The Hall of Coats of Arms is an integral part of the building, rebuilt after the fire of 1510. It features the symbols of the podestà who have succeeded one another in the governance of the city (about 40 coats of arms are present). The podestà served for about 16 months and had their own private accommodation in the adjoining rooms. There are two large Murano chandeliers that illuminate the ceiling with “sansovina” beams, painted wood as was customary in the 1500s. The two beams that horizontally traverse the hall feature alternating designs within clipei, one with the city’s coat of arms of a castle on a red background and the other with the symbol of the Serenissima: the Venetian lion on a blue background.
The gonfalone of the City is presented with a red background, a silver castle, and the motto “Nec Spe Nec Metu” (neither with hope nor with fear).
The back wall is adorned with a fresco of the lion of Saint Mark. Between the head and the forepaw appears a landscape with a castle, and the same paw holds an open book. Horsemen with weapons are depicted under the belly, and there are ships between the hind legs. The lion’s raised tail is evident. At the time the fresco was created, Venice confirmed its possessions on the mainland (landscape of a hill with fortification), being in a city that accepts it (open book), being engaged in a battle (armed warriors), and having possessions at sea (ships), while the tail raised indicates a proud Serenissima, in motion, advancing, conquering.
On the floor is a wrought iron flowerpot by Carlo Rizzarda.
The hall is accessible during the public opening hours of the municipal offices and in the summer, on Sundays for guided tours.
