In ancient times a fortified palace that served as the residence of the bishops-counts, according to tradition, it was erected (or more likely expanded and strengthened) at the end of the 12th century by Bishop Gerardo de Taccoli, who died in 1196 fighting against the Trevisans.
The civic tower holds the bell whose sound, since 1403, summoned the city’s Greater Council. A twin tower, on the corner towards the Cathedral, was demolished in 1516 to enlarge the square in front of the Cathedral, but there was likely a third, central tower in ancient times, as clearly shown by the ancient episcopal seal that depicted this building. The portal and some elements of the upper windows date back to the restructuring carried out by Bishop Giulio Berlendis in the 17th century. Severely damaged by the earthquake of 1873, it underwent a total internal renovation overseen by engineer Giorgio Pagani-Cesa, followed by facade interventions after the new earthquake of 1936.
Once the seat of the Court, it is now used as a municipal auditorium. Currently, restoration works are underway inside the building.
