The original palace was built under the Cardinal Albornoz (1359-62). In Malatestas time, it hosted the court and then the governor of the Pope. Only since 1722 it hosted the municipal organs and it was enlarged in neoclassical style. At first floor, the hall of the Major, with a bust of pope Clemente XII and of famous cesenati. Besides, it is now exhibited a precious Roman mosaic-floor.

Before Malatesta's rule, political and religious power had never shared the same area in Cesena (as in many Italian towns did). The Cathedral, in fact, was up on the top of hill Garampa (where today the Spheristery is), whereas the Palace of the Podestry lay not far from the present Palace of Ridotto and the late Pope's Governor dwelled in the so-called "palatium vetus" (area of the Rocchetta di Piazza). Between 1401 and 1403, then, a new civic palace was erected in order to host the Council of the Conservatori (today known as "Ridotto") and, after the Signoria, the other organs of representation (Cancellor, Council of the Elderly, etc.) This situation lasted until 1722, when the municipal organs were brought to the new big Town Hall, in Piazza Maggiore. 

We have already said that this building comes from a pre-existent “palatium vetus” which, during the Communi, hosted the Pope's Governor. Between 1359 and 1362 the Pope's legate, cardinal Egidio Albornoz, wanted a new Governor's palace (“palatium novum”) to be build near the old one (project by Busini and Guidone di Zerbino), just where today the Town Hall lies (its second name, "Albornoz' Palace", derives from this fact). Between the two palaces there was (and still there is) one of the gates for the entrance to the "Murata" (following the famous Descritpio Romandiole of cardinal Grimoard, 1371); from the gate a path led to the top of the hill (the present Via Malatesta Novello and Salita Matteo Nuti). During Malatesta'a time, the two palaces were seat of the Signori and of their court, but nothing has been preserved of the works of ornament. After the Signoria, the new Rocchetta di Piazza gave a new aspect to the whole complex (still seat of the Governor), with lodge since 1523. Later, in 1584, Francesco Masini decorated some rooms inside (some paintings are still there). 

In the 1700's Albornoz' Palace took the present look, being clearly separated by the  Rocchetta: the municipal organs came back in 1722 and the palace underwent a decise, neoclassical restyle. Then two railings were added (1747), followed by a clock (1755) and the new arcade (1777). The statue of the Virgin, on the contrary, is recent (1940).

The only rests of the old Albornoz' Palace can be seen along Salita Matteo Nuti, but the main entrance is located traditionally on Piazza del Popolo. The neoclassical facade has a ten arcade-lodge, with railings, statue of the Virgin and clock. Under the lodge, some busts and inscription recall some famous or local politicians and patriots (Garibaldi, by Tullio Golfarelli 1883), Andrea Costa (1920), Leonida Montanari (Golfarelli 1887),  Carducci (by Paolo Grilli, 1908), Mazzini (Golfarelli, 1888), Gastone Sozzi (1948), Giovanni Merloni (1986) and Pio Battistini (2003).

The stairs lead to the first floor, where the Hall hosts medals with famous men of Cesena (Antioco Tiberti, Annibale Albertini, Candidiano da Cesena, Malatesta Strinati, Jacopo Mazzoni, Scipione Chiaramonti, Eduardo Fabbri, Maurizio Bufalini, Giuseppe Verzaglia, Fra’ Michelino, Nicolò II Masini, Giuliano Fantaguzzi); on the roof is the coat of arms of Cesena (by Angelo Masini). Among the rooms, it has to be cited the so-called "Mirrors' Room", with original apparates of the 1700's.