In the heart of the village of Arquà Petrarca, overlooking the picturesque San Marco Square, stands the Loggia dei Vicari, a historic building that for centuries was the center of the political and administrative life of the community. This space, covered by an arched structure, housed the assemblies of local representatives and the Vicar, the figure appointed to govern the Euganean district under the rule of the Carraresi and, later, the Republic of Venice.
Since the 14th century, Arquà was elevated to the rank of Vicaria, acquiring strategic importance within the Paduan territory. The borough controlled a large area that, in the Eighteenth century, included as many as 21 villages and over 11,000 inhabitants.
The vicar, usually chosen from among the noble families of Padua, had the task of administering justice, managing the treasury, and organizing military defense.
His importance is also attested by a 1628 painting, housed in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which depicts the ceremony of passing on the "vicar's staff" between two members of the Oddi family.
The Restoration
The Loggia, originally covered by a wooden and thatched structure, was severely damaged by a fire in 1828 and remained uncovered until 2003, when it was restored by the Municipality of Arquà Petrarca.The intervention, led by architects Claudio Rebeschini and Andrea Schiavon, involved the construction of a modern roof made of copper and glass, a design choice that combines innovation and respect for the historical identity of the building. During the work, the interior and exterior wall faces were consolidated, and the posticcio elements that had altered the original structure over time were removed.
Inside the Loggia one can still admire the stemmas of the vicars' families, while on one wall survives, albeit deteriorated, a fresco depicting St. Julian in the act of killing his sleeping parents.
On the outer walls, above the large entrance arch, is a bas-relief depicting the leon of St. Mark, symbol of the Serenissima, carved in sandstone in 1500.