Motovun Communal Palace

The Communal Palace of Motovun stands on the main square of the town, which is named after Andrea Antico, a Renaissance music printer born in Motovun. It is one of the oldest and most substantial secular buildings of the Istrian hill towns, and its heavy stone mass shows how seriously a medieval commune took its own government. Motovun sits on a conical hill above the Mirna valley, and the palace occupies the highest part of the settlement, close to the church of St. Stephen and its bell tower, so a visit to the square puts the main buildings of the town within a few steps of one another.

The palace dates from the Middle Ages, with its origins usually placed in the thirteenth century, and it combines Romanesque and later Gothic features, such as round-headed arches and a plain, strongly built facade. A commune was the self-governing body of a medieval town, a council of citizens that administered justice, collected taxes and organised the defence of the walls, and the palace was the seat of those functions. After Motovun passed under the rule of Venice, the building continued to serve as the place where the town's officials met. Seen from the square, the thick walls, the stone steps and the arched openings convey a sense of authority that is typical of the palaces of northern Italian and Istrian towns of that period.

For visitors, the interest lies as much in the position as in the details. From the square and the walls beside the palace you can see out across the valley of the Mirna, with its vineyards, fields and the dark mass of the Motovun forest, which is known for its truffles. The palace is part of the standard walking route through the old town, along with the Town Walls, the bell tower and the narrow lanes that lead down to the gates. Guided tours of Motovun usually stop here, and local guides can explain the history of the commune.

Access to the interior depends on its current use, which has included municipal functions, so the building is often enjoyed from outside. Check locally if you hope to go in. In summer, the square comes alive during the Motovun Film Festival, when screenings and concerts fill the open space, and at other times of year, the town hosts food and wine events, notably around truffle season in autumn.

Allow fifteen to thirty minutes for the palace and the square, and more if you combine it with the walls and the viewpoint. Wear comfortable shoes, since the town is steep and the stone paving is polished and slippery. The palace suits history enthusiasts, architecture lovers and anyone interested in the civic life of medieval Istria.