The palace was built on the site of a 14th-century fortress originally commissioned by Raimondo del Balzo Orsini.
The interior frescoes were executed by the painter Domenico Carella in 1776.
The courtyard houses an ornate stone staircase that serves as a primary example of regional Baroque masonry.
The building's construction was commissioned by the Caracciolo family, who held feudal lordship over Martina Franca for centuries.
The Piano Nobile features rooms named after their decorative themes, including the Sala del Mito and the Sala dei Cavalieri.
The Palazzo Ducale in Martina Franca serves as the current seat of the municipal government and is the city's most significant Baroque secular building. Constructed starting in 1668 by Duke Petraccone V Caracciolo, it replaced a previous medieval castle. The facade features a distinct late Baroque architectural style characteristic of the Itria Valley. The interior contains the Sala dell'Arcadia, notable for its 18th-century frescoes depicting pastoral scenes. The structure remains integrated into the urban fabric as a functional administrative hub. Visitors can access specific historic wings while the rest of the building continues to house city offices.
The central courtyard, looking up toward the ornate staircase and frescoed balconies.
Check with the local tourist information office inside the palace to see which specific rooms are open to the public on the day of your visit.
View the exterior at night when the Baroque stonework is illuminated.
Do not attempt to enter office wings that are marked as restricted or for administrative staff only.
Occasionally closed or restricted during official municipal events or council sessions.
Maintain a quiet demeanor as the building functions as a municipal office.
