Palazzo della Ragione was built In 1228. The project was started by Podestà Aliprando Fab(v)a from Brescia and was initially conceived as one single open colonnade for assemblies, refereeing and ordinances.

The realization of this large indoor space, where traders bankers and notaries gathered, made this building essential for economical and political life in the city. The Palace was named “delle Ragioni” (Rights) because it was the place where Judges decided civil and penal rights to the people. Their symbols were the Rooster and the Horse, representing surveillance and justice speed.

In the XVI century the Palace was restored many times and in 1770/73, for want of Maria Teresa d’Austria, was restructured again by the architect Francesco Croce – author of the major spire of the Duomo-Madonnina and of the Rotonda in via Besana. The building became the headquarters of the Archivio Notarile, gathering all the notarial documents in Milan and province.

“Cinque giornate di Milano” defined the roof of the Palace: damaged by a cannon shot, the building was repaired in April 1848. In 1939 Milan became the owner of the Palace and in the ‘80s it was defined as an exhibition space.