Arengario

The Arengario (medieval town hall) of Monza

In Italy, an arengario (also spelled arrengario or arengo; pl.: arengari, arrengari, arenghi) is a government building in various historic periods.[1] The word comes from the verb "arringare" ("to address"), as arengari usually have balconies from which the authorities would address the population in public speeches.[2]

It was originally the town hall of Italian medieval communes, especially in Northern Italy.[2] Under Fascism, it was also local governments seats, such as the seat of the podestà (mayor).[3] As a consequence, a number of both medieval and modern (Fascist) buildings in different Italian cities are known as "Arengario". Notable arengari include:

  • the medieval Arengario of Monza
  • the medieval Arengario of Brescia
  • the early 20th century Arengario of Milan

See also

  • "Broletto" (has a partially overlapping meaning)

Footnotes

  1. ^ Arengario di Brescia
  2. ^ a b Definition of Arengario
  3. ^ Arengario: definition