Municipal building

The building works for the Palazzo Comunale (Municipal building) started at the beginning of the 17th century under orders of duke Francesco Maria II (1548-1631), who on 22 August 1609 recommended to ‘non far più far di quello che non si può far a meno’ (‘don’t do more than what is needed.’)
It is certain that in 1357 there was a Public palace: a document refers to it; anyway, there are reports of previous council meetings. Although today it’s not possible to trace the public palace location, its existence is indirectly confirmed in the age of Malatesta town reconstruction in 1470, with a report saying ‘che fu fatta la Torre dell’Horologgio’ (‘the clock tower was accomplished’): the building of a clock tower implies that there should also be a palace hosting it.
The building design is very likely by Urbino architect Muzio Oddi (1569-1639) who, the previous year, concluded the nearby Chiesa della Croce (Cross church) building works. The 17th century municipal building construction was accomplished despite a number of problems, including financing problems. In 1640 the building works for the clock tower resumed after being suspended by the lord of the manor, arguing that in case of war the tower would limit the Rocca (fortress) artilleries range of fire. In 1644 the clock tower was accomplished. In 1760, over a century later, the Municipal council decided to have a new bell installed, decorated with images of the Crucified, Our Lady of Loreto, Saint Paolino, Saint Vincent and Saint Mary Magdalene. A series of small and large porticoes arches make the building façade lighter, on the first floor there’s a line of two windows orders and on the left one of the windows is replaced by the big clock installed in 1880. The monumental staircase made of Furlo stone in 1754 by architect Alessandro Rossi from Osimo gives access to the council room built in the same period by Rimini architect Bonamici.
Due to the extensive damages the Municipal building suffered during the 1930 earthquake, it was suggested to knock down the palace. In the technical report they said: ‘The main body, supported by the porticoes columns, dropped and rotated; its back looking side – partly collapsed – is diagonally crossed by a crack running from the roof almost down to the floor. The clock tower is cracked and out of plumb, and the walls supporting it are thinner on top than on the basis.’ The citizens were against the demolition of this symbol, and in 1933 the town council decided to reinforce the building. The works were accomplished in 1935, when Palazzo comunale took on today’s outlook.
Just opposite the small arch on the right side of the Palazzo comunale façade stands the Neptune fountain. The first report about this fountain dates back to 1616, when a payment is certified for having ‘tirato il vaso della fonte di Piazza e postovi la statua’ (‘brought the fountain basin to the square and put the statue in it’); from this report and one later report in 1669 – certifying a payment for repairing ‘la testa della statua della fonte di Piazza’ (‘the head of the fountain statue in the square’) – it was traditionally assumed that the Neptune body was an archaeological find from Roman time.
On the left side when facing the fountain you’ll see the imposing façade of Palazzo dei conti Fagnani (Counts Fagnani palace) with its balcony, its doorway and its cornices made of Istria stone. The building was raised at the beginning of the 18th century, probably designed by architect Muzio Oddi; it was the residence of Giulio Carlo Fagnani, famous mathematician from Senigallia.

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