episcopio, palazzo ecclesiastico

Flanking the left side of the cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace steps forward to meet the street, aligning with the neighbouring buildings of Piazza Duomo. It rises three storeys above ground, with a series of cellars below. The diocesan offices occupy the ground floor; the upper floors hold residences. A grand staircase in the courtyard leads to the first floor, while an internal stair serves the top storey and the terrace. The palace connects to the cathedral by a ground-floor door and a discreet, "secret" window on the first floor. Within the building are two units belonging to the episcopio and one private apartment. Such episcopal palaces were once both administrative hub and domestic compound, their architecture balancing ecclesiastical authority with the daily routines of clergy and staff. This one feels solidly civic, a pragmatic neighbour to the cathedral rather than a rival.

Description via source. Coordinates and heritage data from the Atika atlas.