General view

In Gubbio, the Palazzo dei Consoli, the Palazzo Pretorio, and a large part of the Piazza della Signoria (called Piazza Grande) are a single vast construction built out from the hillside. It is the dominant feature of a great design, which is among the most remarkable single feats of civic planning in the history of medieval Italy. Angelo da Orvieto was probably responsible for the entire scheme, as well as for the whole of the Palazzo dei Consoli.

The project was already under discussion in 1322 and building may have been started soon afterwards. The still unfinished Palazzo dei Consoli was inaugurated in 1338. In 1349-56 the aqueduct leading water to the upper chamber was completed.

The photo shows the Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo dei Consoli (left) and the Palazzo Pretorio (right).

View the diagrams of the section of Palazzo dei Consoli and Palazzo Pretorio (above) and plan of Piazza della Signoria (below) in Gubbio.