Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, Lucca Travel Guide

The Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, situated in the Piazza dei Cavalieri, stands as a testament to Pisa's rich history. The building's name has evolved over time, reflecting the different governing bodies that have occupied it. Initially known as the Palazzo dell'Archivio during the Middle Ages, it later became the Palazzo dei Priori after Florence conquered Pisa in 1409. Finally, it was named Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici when it was handed over to the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen. The Council of the Twelve Knights was an important decision-making body within the Order.In the late 16th century, architect Pietro Francavilla renovated the palace, aligning it with the surrounding buildings in terms of height and late Renaissance style. Francavilla also created the statue of Cosimo I, which stands in front of the nearby Palazzo dei Cavalieri. The palace's facade features a pinkish plaster, which highlights the white marble decorations, including window frames, a column-flanked portal, and balustraded windows.Inside the Palazzo del Consiglio dei Dodici, numerous artworks are preserved, including a 16th-century bust of Ferdinand I and a fragment of the fresco of the Assumption from the school of Domenico Ghirlandaio. The Audience Hall (Salone dell'Udienza) is particularly noteworthy, with walls painted by Pietro Paolo Lippi and Antonio Giusti between 1681 and 1683. The carved, gilded, and painted ceiling, featuring the Cardinal Virtues by Ventura Salimbeni, adds to the hall's splendor. Today, the palace houses the Institution of the Knights of Santo Stefano, an organization established in 1939 to uphold the maritime traditions of the Order of Santo Stefano and support the children of sailors.