Loggia della Repubblica: ancient place of justice at the Town Hall
During your walk in Noli, you can discover the Loggia della Repubblica (14th-15th century) which still preserves the ancient and wonderful cobblestones. It is formed by two large brick arches resting on an octagonal column. Did you know that this was the place where justice was once administered?
Try to raise your eyes almost towards the sky: you will be able to observe the iron ring used for torture!On the side of the tower visible under the loggia, there is the door to the ancient prison, small but above all very secret! Will you be able to find it? Furthermore, during your tour, you will be able to discover some interesting tombstones under the loggia: the first on the right recalls the iron laws that were in force in the Republic. In fact, in 1666 the Ancient Decrees of good government were almost always disregarded and so the Magnificent Council deliberated a new decree, but this time in a marble stone. Here is the reason:
"So that in the future everyone will know what they should do and be careful not to contravene"Other tombstones testify to the passage from Noli (or the birth) of illustrious men, such as Dante who mentions Noli in Purgatory:
"Vassi in San Leo and descended in Noli" (Purgatory IV, 25)Do you think that Dante mentioned the Borgo di Noli to create a comparison with the mountain of Purgatory, steep as the sentieri that go up and down the city center. A custom of Noli? Every year the alleged passage of the Poet is commemorated with the Passeggiata Dantesca. Finally, another plaque commemorates Christopher Columbus who definitively abandoned the enchanting Liguria setting sail from the harbour of Noli on May 31, 1476 with a flotilla of five ships headed for Flanders.
