The panoramic terrace

The terrace of Palazzo Pretorio is situated atop an imposing medieval building; the oldest part, built of red brick, retains the original structure of a 13th-century tower house; over time, the building has undergone numerous alterations and extensions.
The bell tower, known as the ‘sail tower’ due to its shape, was built in the 16th century during renovation work necessitated by several collapses which, in 1532, affected the building’s corner tower. The project was entrusted to Nanni Unghero, who also designed the crenellated coping, drawing inspiration from military architecture.
The terrace is one of the most picturesque vantage points in the whole of Prato, offering a splendid panoramic view of the entire city, from the historic centre to the hills and the surrounding countryside, with the eye eventually reaching as far as Florence.
From the terrace, you can admire the palace’s two bells up close: the smaller bell, once used for the Podestà’s service, and the larger bell, known to the people of Prato as ‘La Risorta’. The latter is rung every year on Liberation Day and during the city’s main festivities. In the past, ‘La Risorta’ marked the rhythms of public life: it rang daily at 3 am, on 1 November and on the occasion of Council meetings.