Architectural concepts of town halls confirm that monumental buildings contributed to the articulation of the values advertised by governments. Monumental architecture was used to express political authority and power of communes in their effort to remain independent from ecclesiastical and aristocratic dominance.
Monumental Buildings Reflect An Ideal Society
Their aim was to create an ordered urban design as a reflection of a well-organized civic society with its civic centre as an urban focal point, where all the citizens participate in democratic rule of their city-state as opposed to the ambitions of autocratic individuals. Civic centres were given a pominent location in the centre of the city, usually in large areas that were often created by clearing spaces of older buildings, such as those belonging to the exiled families. Governments demonstrated their authority over aristocracy by demolition of their properties.
Civic buildings were thoroughly integrated into the surrounding area by applying specific relations to an adjoining open public space, piazza, and thus creating harmnious unity. Communes controlled the appearance of the city by regulating architectural development of privately owned properties in the vicinity of public buildings. Laws and regulations were passed, which gave priority to a meticulously unified urban design before individual appearance of residential structures. Such measures prove a clear intention of putting common concerns before private interests of individuals. Positioning of the civic centre, palazzo, and its interaction with the immediate environment was to express the importance of the communal rule through urban design.
Utility, Prestige, Defence
Town halls dominated cityscape by their size and distinctive architectural features.Their design was a combination of utility and prestige as well as defensibility.
In Siena, the overall plan, decoration scheme and multiple functionality of The Palazzo Pubblico housing the legislative, economic and judicial functions demonstrates the notion of a civic society where respect for law ensures just government resulting in prosperity for all citizens. The functions of the town hall and the unique ways these are expressed through its architecture, painting and sculpture enables the public centre to comminicate the message of civic pride in the city's communal regime.
In Florence, the actual need of defence determined the fortress-like character of its secular centre. Nevertheless, its palatial features show the city's status as one of the most influential centres of commerce and banking in Europe. The interaction of the two characteristics then articulates power and authority of communal Florence derived from its financial prosperity.
Although Padua was under the signorial rule of the Carrara family, there was continued effort in preserving democratic principles of the previous communal rule and displaying of civic identity of the city. The open structure and great scale of The Palazzo della Raggione which housed state offices and trades of wide range, conveys the idea of close connection between Paduan citizens and their representatives. It also expresses the sense of the community participating in prosperity rather than power and control.
Architecture and State Propaganda
Features typical of palatial architecture were used in civic architecture where they took on different meaning. A tall tower became an expression of civic authority and confidence rather of aristocratic grandeur. A loggia of a town hall became suitable for ceremonial assemblies of citizenry in honour of the city rather than social gatherings of the chosen elite.
Monumental civic architecture was a powerful and straightforward way to propagandise principles of civic society and confidence in benefit of communal form of government in reaction to tyrants expanding their political powers and territorial domination. The ideal commune served common good, not private interests and the town halls of city states like Siena, Florence and Padua were a visual expression of this idea.
Sources:
- Diana Norman: Siena, Florence and Padua: Art, Society and Religion 1280-1400, Yale University Press, 1995
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