The Palazzo degli Anziani and Ancona’s Civic Power

The Palazzo degli Anziani rises before the waterfront, a quiet witness to the city’s golden age as a maritime republic in the Middle Ages. Approaching the Palazzo degli Anziani from the harbor, the former warehouse spaces can still be identified, as shown in the video.

From here, the path ascends toward the old city, following ancient Greek steps framed by medieval architecture. The urban landscapes unfolds layer by layer as we climb.

As we reach Piazza Stracca, we see the side of the Palazzo that faces the ancient main street. For centuries, these rooms were home to the city hall, until the bombing of the Second World War forced the offices to relocate.

On the façade, 13th-century sculptures by Margaritone d’Arezzo remain visible, while others have been moved to the Pinacoteca. The scenes tell biblical stories, showing how Christian culture was intertwined with politics and society in the Middle Ages.