The Broletto of Novara

The Broletto originates from the fusion of four pre-existing buildings, which were erected between the 13th and 18th centuries, and subsequently remodelled.

The buildings are: the Palazzo dell'Arengo, a massive brick block with the ground floor marked by solemn arches that support the large hall of the same name; the Palazzetto dei Paratici on the east side of the courtyard and surmounted by the elegant baroque loggia;

the Palazzo del Podestà, almost entirely rebuilt in the 1930s and adorned with ancient external fresco decorations and  finally, the Palazzo della Referenderia, on the west side of the courtyard, almost entirely rebuilt during the restorations of the 1930s, maintaining its original structure.

Since the first restoration of the original buildings, which took place continuously from the 16th century to the end of the 18th century, an attempt was made to unify the structures in order to have a cohesive complex overlooking  a squared elegant courtyard paved with cotto tile and herringbone decoration.

However, it was during the 19th century that the most important changes were carried out, making the ancient structure almost unrecognisable. Finally, a conservative campaign carried out in the 1930s attempted to bring back the ancient splendour, especially for the friezes and artistic details which had been partially lost. That last renovation gave to the monumental complex that stylistic and decorative unity which is still perceptible today.

At the end of the last restoration works during 1935, an Archaeological Museum was located on the ground floor and remained open to the public for over thirty years. Meanwhile, all artworks belonging to the civic art collections, including the modern art collection donated by Alfredo Giannoni, have been stored for a long time inside the other areas of the building.

This setting has changed since 2011, when the Galleria Giannoni Museum opened, giving to art passionate the opportunity to admire a selection of the art masterpieces preserved there. In 2021 the exhibition has changed and the art collections reorganised in order to show more of the artworks belonging to the Museum.

The historic hall named called Arengo, on the first floor, underwent to restoration work  many times, during which examples of mediaeval pictorial decoration were also discovered. Since the end of the Second World War, it has been used for public ceremonies and art exhibitions.