Praetorian Palace

Next to the Palazzo Pretorio, the Loggia del Capitano is not only aesthetically pleasing. It also occupies an important place in the history of Sovana.

The structure was built in medieval times and completely renovated during the fifteenth century at the same time as the Palazzo Pretorio.

From this period, until the end of the 16th century, it was the illustrious residence of the Captains of Justice.

While their name might sound like that of a superhero, the Captains of Justice were not saving Sovana from evil. Instead, they were more like a very prestigious police unit made up of only the oldest and most noble families.

Their lodge was therefore suitably luxurious and designed with only the finest local building materials, mainly sand-colored tuff. It too is spread over two very large levels.

The white coat of arms you see on the side of the building, and pictured above, belongs to the Medici. The restorers of the building were forced to add it in the 15th century at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici. He wanted to make sure the captains knew exactly who was in command.

Today, the lodge doubles as the city’s only gift shop. Definitely worth a wander inside just to see the elaborate design work on the walls and exposed roof beams.