The Palazzo della Ragione, built in 1218 and raised in 1306 by Giovanni degli Eremitani, has been the seat of the city courts until 1797.
The upper floor is occupied by one of the largest suspended hall in the world, called “Salone” (81×27 m; 27 h) with vaulted wooden ceiling. The Salone is painted with a grand cycle of frescoes with astrological theme (1425-1440).
In the room has been preserved a giant wooden horse, built for a carousel in 1466. Inside the Palazzo della Ragione it’s possible to see the realization of the famous Foucault pendulum, set by a scientific project by prof. Giacomo Torzo of the Physics Department – University of Padua.
On the ground floor, in the so-called Sottosalone, line up dozens of historic small stores where you can find the first fruits of the season and the best food and wine.
You can also visit the archaeological site in the basement of the Palace.
Palazzo della Ragione dominates the two large squares of Herbs and Fruits, locations of quaint and colorful daily markets.
Two multimedia totems (in Italian and English) tell the story of the palace and the city.
