The Broletto
During the early years of the 13th century, the Comune of Novara decided to build an independent headquarters to house municipal functions near the ancient brolus – a walled courtyard in the heart of the city. Four buildings were constructed from the 13th century onwards, which today form the Broletto complex. On the north side stands the Palazzo del Comune (dating to 1209), on the east side the Palazzo delle Corporazioni artigiane (built in the mid-13th century), and on the south and west sides the Palazzo del Podestà and the Palazzo dei Referendari (built between the late 14th and early 15th century).

The first attempts of renovation
In the mid-16th century, the Palazzo del Comune ceased to be the seat of autonomous city government and suffered a general decline, to the extent that in 1581 the large Sala dell’Arengo was in danger of collapse.
From the 19th century, a number of attempts were made to renovate the building, but it was only in the 1930s that the Broletto was completely restored.
After these renovations, the Broletto complex became home to the town’s Musei Civici. These include an archaeological section housing a rich collection of artefacts from pre-Roman and Roman civilizations; an art collection and the Museo Novarese with paintings and sculptures dating from the 15th to 18th centuries; the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Giannoni, with a collection of Italian art from 1840 to 1930.

The Salone dell’Arengo
This is a single room, with a raised platform in the choir.
During restoration work in the 1930s, a frescoed decoration was found in the upper part: a series of panels on the west wall, containing the emblems of the podestà of the time. On the north and south walls were two frescoes removed from the Church of San Clemente in Barengo, depicting the Tornielli family presented to the Virgin and Jesus among the Apostles. On the east wall was the fresco of a Crucified Christ and Saints, removed from the bell tower of the Church of Sant’Andrea.
The room is lined on all sides by wood panelling, with some wood carvings. In the eastern part is a choir with high-backed chairs, chairs, benches and foot-rests.