Palazzo della Ragione — Attraction in Milan

This medieval palace once served as the civic and judicial heart of Milan. Built between 1228 and 1233 under the orders of Podestà Oldrado da Tresseno, it was originally called the Broletto Nuovo (New City Hall). The name Ragione means "reason," reflecting its role in law and governance. From 1233 to 1773, the building hosted public assemblies, trials, and official proclamations. In 1773, Empress Maria Theresa converted it into the Archivio Notarile, or archive for legal documents, and the upper floor was added during this transition. In the 19th century, it briefly served as the headquarters of Banca Popolare di Milano. A major restoration led by Marco Dezzi Bardeschi in 1978 partially restored its medieval exterior. Today, it functions as Palazzo della Ragione Fotografia, a venue for photography exhibitions. One notable feature is a carved relief of the Scrofa semilanuta — a half-woolly wild boar, an ancient and mythical symbol linked to Milan’s...

During the Middle Ages, the square was the commercial and government center of the city. Currently it does not fill the same role, but it is still a fascinating medieval area that houses a series of buildings like this one in the photo: Palazzo della Ragione, a magnificent red brick building that was inaugurated in 1233 to house the city courts. The city market was located under the imposing arcades of...

SCROFA LANUTA, THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME MILANO Which is the symbol of Milan? A sow half covered with wool. Mostly people overlook and brush aside but you can find the basrelief between the second and third arches of the portico. A tribute to the origin of the name "Milano", from the Latin "Medio-Lanum" i.e....