Palace of Reason

The Palazzo della Ragione, located between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori in Verona, is a symbol of the city’s medieval history and an extraordinary example of Romanesque architecture. Built at the end of the 12th century, the palace served administrative and judicial functions for centuries, representing the beating heart of Veronese public life. The structure of the palace is a harmonious combination of different architectural elements reflecting the various historical periods it has gone through. The facade, characterized by alternating strips of red bricks and white tuffs, creates a unique and distinctive visual effect. This color scheme is typical of Romanesque architecture and can be seen in other parts of Verona, giving the palace a robust and majestic appearance. One of the most iconic elements of the Palazzo della Ragione is the Scala della Ragione, a monumental staircase in Veronese red marble in Gothic style, leading to the noble floor of the palace. This staircase not only represents a masterpiece of engineering and design, but also serves as a connection between the inner courtyard and the upper exhibition spaces, offering visitors a scenic transition between the various levels of the building. Inside the palace, the spaces have been expertly restored to house the Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery. This gallery, inaugurated in 2014 after a long and complex restoration project, exhibits a vast collection of artworks ranging from the 19th to the 20th century, with a particular focus on Italian artists. Among the exhibited works are masterpieces by Umberto Boccioni, Giorgio Morandi, and Giacomo Balla, providing a comprehensive overview of the evolution of modern art in Italy. The Palazzo della Ragione has undergone numerous restoration interventions over the centuries. One of the most significant was in the 19th century, when architect Giuseppe Barbieri redesigned the facade facing Piazza delle Erbe in neoclassical style, giving the palace a more sober and harmonious appearance. Another important restoration took place between 1874 and 1890, under the guidance of Camillo Boito, who brought to light the original Romanesque features hidden by previous renovations. Historically, the Palazzo della Ragione played a central role in Verona’s political and social events. Under the rule of the Della Scala family, the palace served as the seat of the Municipality and housed the city’s main administrative and judicial activities. During the Venetian period, the palace continued to be a hub of public life, hosting offices and courts. Even after the Unification of Italy, the palace maintained its importance as the seat of various public institutions until the end of the 20th century.