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In 1771 Michele Chiello, founder of the city hospital, created a bank inspired by the ancient pawnshops: the "Monte Prestami". This institution was intended to lend money to those people who had no valuables to be pawned, like artisans, workers, peasants and laborers. The building that haused this former bank is located in the city center and constitutes the backpart of the today's City Palace. Abandoned for several decades, today it's returned to life, after a major restoration, the lower part of the building is now used as exhibition center "Monte Prestami", in which there is a permanent exhibition/marketplace of local products and various long-term expositions. Within the large halls with vaulted ceilings, there is an ancient medieval well too. The top part of the building, today closed, will host, in the near future, a museum of credit to pledge. |
