The Municipality of Lucca

The administrative and political centre of Lucca is located in Santa Giustina Street inside Orsetti Palace, a historical building in the city centre. Here the city Town Council, representing the citizens, and the Municipality, representing the executive authority, have their meetings. The mayor’s offices also are in this building.

The foundations of Orsetti Palace were started during the Middle Ages; the Palace was the residence of the Aristocratic family Diodati in the 16th century and its name is associated with such family.

The architecture of the building and its furniture are characterised by several layers, each one corresponding to a different cultural and historical period: it is possible to find tapestry, curtains and antiques. Strolling along the elegant rooms (such as the "mirrors room", the "music room" or the "green room"), visitors can admire some important paintings by Onofrio Avellino, Pietro Paolino and Pontorno.

Just outside the building, opposite Orsetti Palace, there is a lovely shady garden.

Comic strip 1

In order to explain Article 5 of Constitution, Pertini goes in front of Orsetti Palace.

Comic strip 2

Francesco: "Wow, what a beautiful palace! Where are we?"

Pertini: "What you see is Orsetti Palace, an ancient building. Some rich families once lived here. Today it is the seat of Municipal Administration. Do you know what the mayor’s name is?"

Marco: "No! We don’t know ."

Pertini: "The mayor of Lucca is called Tambellini and he is a teacher!"

Comic strip 3

Giuseppe: "Mr. President, maybe I read on my law book that the municipality is a local body.."

Pertini: "Sure! Article 5 of the Constitution stresses the importance of local bodies and a municipality is one of them".

Art. 5 Cost.

The Republic is one and indivisible. It recognises and promotes local autonomies, and implements the fullest measure of administrative decentralisation in those services which depend on the State. The Republic adapts the principles and methods of its legislation to the requirements of autonomy and decentralisation.