Loggia of the Council

The Loggia del Consiglio, located in Piazza dei Signori in Verona, is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture and a symbol of the city’s civic power. Built between 1476 and 1493 by the Municipality of Verona, the loggia was designed to host meetings of the city council. This building represents an important testimony of the time when Verona sought to assert its autonomy and cultural identity, despite being under the rule of the Republic of Venice since 1405. The loggia is commonly called “Loggia di Fra’ Giocondo” due to a mistaken tradition attributing the project to the Veronese architect and humanist Giovanni Giocondo. However, subsequent studies have shown that the authorship of the work is uncertain and could be the result of the work of multiple architects and artisans of the time. The facade of the Loggia del Consiglio is a masterpiece of balance and harmony, with a portico of eight round arches supported by marble columns. On the main floor, there are four large mullioned windows decorated with pediments and carved pilasters. The upper part of the building is crowned with statues of illustrious figures from Roman Verona: Catullus, Pliny the Elder, Emilius Macro, Vitruvius, and Cornelius Nepos, created by Alberto da Milano. These statues not only celebrate the city’s glorious Roman past but also symbolize civic pride and humanistic culture that characterized Verona in the Renaissance. The interior of the loggia, unfortunately not always accessible to the public, houses a series of frescoes and paintings commissioned by the city council over the centuries. Among the most significant works are the “Madonna and Child receiving the homage of Verona” by Bernardino India and Orlando Flacco, and the “Dedication of Verona to Venice” by Jacopo Ligozzi, which celebrate crucial moments in Veronese history. Other paintings, such as those by Paolo Farinati, Orazio Farinati, and Pasquale Ottino, depict battles and historical events, contributing to creating an environment of great symbolic and artistic value. During the 19th century, the loggia was temporarily used as a civic art gallery and underwent significant restoration work. Between 1820 and 1838, and then again between 1870 and 1874, floors, ceilings, and pictorial decorations were redone, and the building was enriched with medallions and busts celebrating famous Veronese figures. These interventions have helped preserve the building and enhance it as a testimony of Veronese history and culture. Today, the Loggia del Consiglio is the seat of the provincial council meetings and hosts cultural events. On the arch connecting the loggia to the nearby Casa della Pietà, rebuilt in 1490, stands the statue of Girolamo Fracastoro, a great Veronese physician, poet, and astronomer, sculpted in 1559 by Danese Cattaneo. This architectural detail adds further charm and historical significance to the loggia, which continues to be a reference point for the civic and cultural life of Verona.