Piazza dei Signori, also known as Piazza Dante, is a square located
in the historic center of Verona, adjacent to Piazza
delle Erbe.
The square was born in the Middle Ages as a
result of the development of the Scaliger palaces and from the very
beginning took on political, administrative and representative
functions. The area is framed by several monumental buildings connected
by arches and loggias.
Numerous palaces of well-known historical and artistic significance rise on the square.
The Palazzo della Ragione was built at the end of the 12th century and the façade was partly modified in the 19th century. On the right, through the arch, you can go to the Old Market. In ancient times it had four towers, the most important of which is the imposing Torre dei Lamberti. Also of note is the elegant Scala della Ragione, built in red Verona marble.
Next to the Palazzo del Comune is the Palazzo di Cansignorio, seat of the Scaligers and the Venetian political power, of which the original medieval tower has been preserved. More recent is the rest of the façade, designed and built by Sanmicheli in the sixteenth century, and the famous Bombardieri gate of 1687. There is also a hole at the bottom where citizens can file anonymous complaints about other citizens.
On the side of the
Palazzo di Cansignorio, you can see the semi-hidden Romanesque church of
Santa Maria Antica, a small church beloved by the Scaliger family. The
portal also houses the sarcophagus of Cangrande I della Scala.
The wrought iron gate has a staircase symbol on the decorative friezes,
and the remains of Mastino II della Scala and Cansignorio della Scala
are freed from the Scaliger tombs.
Palazzo del Podesta is located near the church of Santa Maria Antica; built by the Scala family, it has typical Ghibelline battlements. The Venetians in 1404 opened a new portal and added the lion of San Marco above it.
The Loggia del Consiglio, traditionally known as the Loggia Fra Giocondo, is located next to the Palazzo del Podesta and was commissioned by the Municipality of Verona for the meetings of the Patrial Council. Eventually its construction was delayed until 1476.
In the middle of the 17th century, the mayor of
Verona proposed the construction of a fountain, which was then built by
Pietro Tedesco. Already at the end of the century, it was decided that
decorating such a monumental square was not enough, and it was
demolished.
A new monument was erected in the center of the
square only in 1865: it was decided to put a statue of Dante, who for
some time was housed in a building overlooking the square, and whose six
hundredth birthday fell, contrary to the Austrian censorship, erected a
similar monument in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, created by Enrico
Pazzi.
The statue was created by Hugo Zannoni from Carrara
marble, it is supported by a pedestal and is at least three meters high.
It was opened on May 14, 1865. The bronze model is in the collection of
the Achille Forti Gallery of Modern Art.