The Palazzo Pretorio of Vicopisano is considered one of the most precious examples of civil architecture as the result of an epoch when the building constructors mainly engaged in the creation of fortifications and religious buildings.

The Palazzo is set in an architectural complex built between the XII and the XIII centuries and it is difficult to establish its original function. It can be hypothesized that it was built during the period of the Pisan Archbishopric's rule in the village. This is confirmed by its closeness to the Santa Maria's tower that certainly belonged to the Pisan curia at the time. This confirms the military function of the whole complex.
Yet, the story of the Palazzo Pretorio started at the dawn of the XV century, when Vicopisano rose in rank becoming the Vicariate of the Valdiserchio and of the Lower Valdarno. Consequently, it became the base of the vicar, an important political office, who administered the ordinary justice of a quite wide area which included the three town halls of Vicopisano, Cascina-Pontedera and Ripafratta.
The "Palazzo posto verso San Francesco" was considered suitable for housing the vicar and was destined to become the base of the public administration from 1411 to the first years of the XX century.
Therefore, since the XV century on, many vicars came here who belonged to the Florentine noble families and they left their earthen, marble or "pietra serena" emblems in inheritance to the palace. Some of them are works made in the prestigious Della Robbia workshops and more than fifty of these works are still preserved inside the Palazzo.
The structure known today as Palazzo Pretorio underwent numerous changes, so as to be adapted to its new function. Since it was a place were trials were held, it was soon necessary to destine some of the rooms to the confinement of prisoners who were to be sent both into public jails and into secret jails. More rooms were added at the sides of the Palazzo with the aim to close the courtyard.
In 1923, the court of first instance, which substituted the Vicariate and part of the Palazzo, was restored again to create some apartments. The Palazzo was abandoned in the 80's and it started a thorough restoration work in 1986 to recover its ancient beauty. It was inaugurated in the year 2000 and it is open on Sundays from the first half of April to the end of October. Entrance is free.