La preesistenza medievale nella trasformazione del palazzo comunale di Monterotondo e gli interventi di Gustavo Giovannoni

Abstract

The essay addresses the issues related to the 13th-century tower’s role in the redesign phases of Monterotondo’s municipal palace,
up to Gustavo Giovannoni’s restoration.
Monterotondo’s town hall was built in the late 15th century by the Orsini family and it incorporated the pre-existing medieval
tower. }e palace is set on the courtyard with a three-arched portico with octagonal pillars that separates the two wings accessible
from the ashlar portal on the front facing the village. In 1526-1531 Franciotto Orsini enlarged the piano nobile with the
frescoed gallery and built the grand staircase bordering the minor court. In 1626 the Barberini defined the present quadrangular
layout with entrance from the monumental portal in the facade on Angelo Frammartino square, redesigned the elevations
on the major court with arches and pilasters imitating those of the 15th century. At this stage the loggia with the tower balcony
is built, but its crowning collapses during the Avezzano earthquake of 1915. In 1907-1916 Gustavo Giovannoni and Giulio
Barluzzi designed the reconstruction of the tower loggia, but the work was carried out by Luigi Riccioni and Enrico Attanasio
between 1924 and 1930.
Today Giovannoni’s work is recognizable by the turret’s volumetry, although it lacks in architectural order. From the analysis of
his project, however, it is possible to identify his design choices in relation to the medieval pre-existence, which anticipate his
reflections on restoration that will find fulfillment during the twentieth century.

Keywords : Town hall of Monterotondo, Orsini, Barberini, Gustavo Giovannoni, restoration.