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Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici

About

Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici stands on Piazza dei Cavalieri as one of Pisa’s most elegant Renaissance landmarks. Its history reflects the city’s shifting political roles: once the medieval seat of the Chancellery, it became the Priors’ Palace after the Florentine conquest in 1409. In the late sixteenth century, architect Pietro Francavilla redesigned the building, harmonising it with the surrounding palaces through refined late‑Renaissance proportions and decorative detailspisa.tours. From 1603 onward, it housed the governing council of the Knights of St. Stephen, the elite twelve‑member body that gave the palace its name. Today the façade’s warm tones and marble accents continue to enrich the square, offering visitors an atmospheric glimpse into Pisa’s civic and architectural heritage.

Pisa Italy

Location

Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici is located at Piazza dei Cavalieri 1, in the heart of Pisa's historic centre, facing Palazzo della Carovana across the vibrant Knights' Square. This Renaissance palace, once home to the governing council of the Knights of St. Stephen, stands amid elegant surroundings including the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri with its rich interior, Palazzo dell'Orologio's striking clock tower, and the statue of Cosimo I de' Medici. Nearby, Piazza Dante offers lively cafés, Borgo Stretto bustles with shops, and a short stroll leads to Ponte di Mezzo, Palazzo Gambacorti, and the iconic Leaning Tower in Piazza dei Miracoli.

Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici

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