The Bradamante Palace


Over the centuries the palace (XVII) was a Venetian loggia, a warehouse for barley storage, the seat of the Podestà (chief magistrate of a city state, mayor), an archive, a local health office, a guardhouse, the Cashier's office, the Municipal Commissioner's Residence, a prison and theater, a Recruitment center, the Imperial-Royal Commissariat, a District Court and a residential building.

Today is the centre of the Italian Community of Vodnjan. The building itself is a part of a rich architectural heritage of the city. It is located in the National square of Vodnjan (Dignano) which is one of the centre of the public life.

Baroque façade is characterized by dramatic masks, ornate windows with lunettes and shells carved in stone (in the foreground), decorative window parapets, an elegant trifora (tripartite gothic stone window) with a charming central balustrade (on the main floor), and the coat of arms that was previously embedded in the wall of the Venetian castle which was demolished in 1808.

​​​​​​​One of the specific features of the building that makes it unique is the clock in the attic – raised above the eaves in 1814. The old clock from the Venetian castle was used at first but after constant repairs it was replaced with a new one made in Vienna in 1877. The spacious lobby exhibits the permanent collection of the "Coats of arms of rectors and notable families of Vodnjan/Dignano" reconstructed from 2008 to 2010. The first floor keeps an extensive library (2.000 volumes), the computer room and the recreation center.