Milano, Palazzo Della Ragione - Broletto Nuovo

Erected in 1228 (13th century) by the podesta of that time, Oldrardo da Tresseno, it represents the oldest and most important example of civil architecture in Milan from the Romanesque period.
"Broletto" is a nickname of "brolo", which in the higher Middle Ages meant a tree-lined field where the archbishop-lord exerted justice after the royal power no longer existed and was not exerted in the ancient Longobard court. In Milan, that field, which was also the symbol of the Episcopal rule, was also named Broletto Vecchio and was later chosen by the citizens of the Free Township to contain a loggia-shaped building (Consoleria) for their ordinances. Consequently, the Broletus Archiepiscopi was changed into Broletus Consulatus, namely, the "Consoleria". It was only later that this building was named after the field: Broletto Nuovo, or Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason), in replacement of the old one that stood near the present Piazza Reale. Milan's administrative offices continued to be hosted in the Broletto Nuovo until 1786, the year in which the City administration was moved to Palazzo del Carmagnola, later named Broletto Nuovissimo (New Broletto).
This building is rectangular and made of bricks. On the lower level, there are two long naves, delimited by round arches, except for the outer ones that are ogival, and are supported by massive stone pilasters. The main façade has a niche in relief from the late Romanesque period that depicts the building's founder Oldrardo da Tresseno, on horseback. This sculpture is attributed to B. Antelami (app. 1150-1230). This is the oldest equestrian statue of the Middle Ages. The upper level is adorned by large three-mullioned windows framed in terracotta. Entrance to the building is through a fly-over bridge built in stone on the west wing. It is formed by a single large hall, named Salone della Ragione (Hall of Reason), once covered by a beamed ceiling and decorated with frescoes of which only faint traces can still be seen.