Sedile Dominova

Southern Italy’s Campania region was once home to extravagant political meeting places, or seats as they were known, where dozens of ancient noble families would often assemble for political debates. The only surviving seat in the region is nestled between souvenir shops on a narrow cobblestone lane behind the main square in Sorrento.

Sedile Dominova, meaning “seat of the new house” is a grand 14th-century building, where medieval nobles met to discuss political and administrative affairs – a strictly men-only affair that was passed down from the Middle Ages. Nowadays, you’re more likely to find crowds of tourists than noblemen and if it’s a bit crowded when you arrive, as it sometimes is, then take a seat at the café right outside.

From here you can sip a coffee as you admire the ornately decorated gate with the elaborate painting of the Sorrento coat of arms supported by angels. Once it's quietened down, walk inside the impressive 16th-century loggia (or atrium): an open-sided square structure, with impressive pillars and mixed-style arches. These are faithful recreations of the original decorations which have been lost to time.

The frescoes however are originals and these well-preserved paintings date from the 18th century. If you look above you once you’re inside, you’ll see a dome with the heraldic signs of the nobles who once belonged to the seat. To get a good view of the exterior of the dome’s beautiful yellow-and-green majolica tiles, stand with your back against the wall in one of the narrow adjacent lanes.

The atrium, fittingly, still has tables and chairs where you’ll often find local members of a worker’s association sitting playing cards. If there are no gatherings taking place when you visit, then pull up a chair and read a book in this ancient seat of power.

Sedile Dominova is free to enter and is located on a corner of Via San Cesareo, close by to Sorrento’s main square, Piazza Tasso.