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

The Old Palace of the Podesta stands as one of the city’s oldest governmental structures. Its origins reach back to the 12th century, but the building took on its present form through significant reconstruction in 1239 and later expansion in 1337, by which time the town's governor had moved to a newer residence, rendering this building the “Old Palace”.

The façade uses stone at the base and brick above. A broad arch opens into a vaulted entrance hall, with a more formal doorway beside it framed by both round and pointed arches typical of the Sienese style. Higher up, three narrow lancet windows sit beneath a string course, and the roofline ends in Guelph-style battlements, where diagonally laid bricks temper the building’s defensive character.

Topping the palace is the Clock Tower or Podestà Tower. Standing at roughly 52 meters, it's the second tallest tower in the city after Big Tower. Historical records note that once the podestà relocated, the tower served as a prison-earning it the nickname “the one with troubles".

By 1537, the palace’s grand hall had been converted into a theatre, setting the stage for public spectacles and communal gatherings. This theater later evolved into the Leggieri Theatre, which was rebuilt in 1794 with a distinctive horseshoe layout featuring two tiers of 22 box seats, richly decorated with Baroque stucco and gilding. The space was repeatedly restored into the late 20th century. Inside the entrance hall, a noteworthy painting presides above the back door-a Madonna and Child with angels and saints, created in 1513 by Il Sodoma.