Lucca - Palazzo della Provincia

The whole of the west side of the square is occupied by the handsome facade of the Palazzo della Provincia, formerly known as the Palazzo della Signoría or Palazzo Ducale. Designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati, it was built from 1578 onwards on the site of the earlier Palazzo degli Anziani (seat of the council of Elders). The large main courtyard and the Cortile degli Svízzeri (named after the Swiss guard formerly maintained by the city) remained unfinished.