The 'Salone' (Hall), 82 metres long and 27 metres wide, rises on a 14th-century loggia. It is the old see of the town tribunals of Padua, and it once was the largest suspended hall in the world.
The Palazzo della Ragione was the heart of city life. It was constructed in 1218, during the time of the free commune, under the podesta of Giovanni Rusconi. The location was at the centre of the market piazzas in a position once occupied by the Roman forum. The palazzo was the administrative centre and seat of justice, and was a prestigious structure: it also served as an emblem of the city at the moment of its height. The original construction of 1200 consisted of three floors: shops at ground level, work rooms and accounting offices on the 1st floor, tribunals and public offices on the top floor. Between 1306 and 1309, Fra Giovanni degli Eremitani enlarged the palazzo by erecting the ship-keel vaulted roof and two interior loggias. Giotto provided a fresco cycle, inspired by the great Paduan philosopher Pietro d'Abano, but this was destroyed by a fire in 1420. New frescos were painted by Nicolo Miretto and Stefano da Ferrara between roughly 1430 and 1440. These extend along the walls of the grand Salone in three bands, above earlier (13th century) paintings of animals, indicating the locations of the various tribunals. The 333 rectangles depict the 12 months, each with patron saint, sign of the zodiac, constellations, the activities typical of the season, and the characteristics of those born under that sign. In his actions, man was to respect the systems of the cosmos and justice, and if he committed a crime, he was to present himself to the tribunal for that type of offence. If condemned, the guilty party was taken to the prison at the west side of the palazzo, with a rite that symbolised his exit from the community. The confusion, smells, sounds and colours of the market often gave rise to fraudulent activity, which the Commune tried to limit by setting official measures, inscribed on the Palazzo wall. The piazzas were also the site for punishments. Whippings for thieves and prostitutes were administered in Piazza dei Frutti. Crimes could also be sanctioned by cutting of the hand or the nose, or by "pulling with cords", at the Volto della Corda.