Inside Palazzo dei Priori, the top of the first flight of stairs leads directly into the magnificent Council Hall. The cross vaulted ceiling replaced the beamed ceiling in 1516. On the wall at the far end of the hall is a fresco painted by Jacopo di Cione Orcagna completed in 1383. While the fresco was being transferred to canvas following serious damage, the sinopia now displayed in the antechamber was discovered. The fresco depicts the Annunciation with four saints, on the left Cosmas and Damian and on the right Giusto and Ottaviano.
On the right wall is a canvas depicting “The Wedding at Cana” by Donato Mascagni, known as Friar Arsenio (1579-1631).
In the antechamber you can admire “Job” by Mascagni, “Nativity of Mary” by Gian Domenico Ferretti (18th century) and the 18th century “Adoration of the Magi” by Ignazio Hugford; worthy of note is “Saint Jerome”, transferred to this room from the stairway and attributed to Luca Signorelli. Two splendid works by contemporary Volterran artists include “The Little Calf” by Raffaello Consortini and “The Sicilian Woman” by Mino Trafeli.