Palazzi comunali e spazio urbano nell’Umbria del Duecento

In the cities of the Italian peninsula, the process of urban identity formation unfolded through phases of destruction, evolution, reconstruction, and abandonment of institutional seats, reflecting a fragmentation of power within the urban fabric. Between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, the Umbrian territory was divided between the Patrimony of Saint Peter and the Duchy of Spoleto, neither of which exercised full administrative or judicial autonomy. In this context, the distribution of episcopal seats largely mirrored the early forms of communal autonomy, contributing to a fragmented yet dynamic institutional landscape. The presence of communes of varying sizes highlighted the multiplicity of centers of power, with the first stable seats of communal administration built from the early 13th century onward. This study aims to map the loci of power in key Umbrian urban centers, considering the city as a space for social and political assertion within the framework of the commune and analyzing the role of the main urban actors: citizens, bishops, and mendicant orders. Case studies from Todi, Assisi, Foligno, Bevagna, and Narni are presented, examining the relationship between communal palaces and other urban power centers. In contexts where multiple communal seats emerged, the study also investigates the relationships between buildings and their role in shaping the political identity of the city.