Palazzo Vecchio del Podesta (Old Palace of the Podesta), San Gimignano

The Old Palace of the Podesta (Palazzo Vecchio del Podesta) is a few steps from the Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà. The Rognosa Tower rises there.

Built for the first time in the 12th century, the current building was rebuilt in 1239 and enlarged in 1337 , by which time it had lost its function as the podestà's residence in favor of the new building. In 1537 a theater was created inside, which was rebuilt in 1794 (the Teatro dei Leggieri) and was restored at the end of the 20th century.

The facade is covered partly in stone (in the lower register) and partly in brick (in the upper one). A large arch with door to the vaulted passage to the entrance hall, while alongside it opens the real and proper portal of the building, with the ring made up of two arches (lowered and pointed arches) according to the Sienese style. On the upper floor there are three single lancet windows underlined by a string course frame . Finally, the crowning is with "Guelph" type merlons , with a decoration at the base made up of bricks arranged diagonally, which create a simple but pleasant decorative effect, which lightens the severity of the whole.

Above the back door of the entrance hall there is a Madonna with Child, angels and saints by Sodoma (1513).