The Ducal Palace of Larino was originally built as a Norman castle between 1100 and 1200, possibly on an older fortification used as a prison. It was located near Porta di Piano, close to the main road of the village.
Over the centuries, it underwent several transformations, evolving from a simple structure into a large complex. It was owned by noble families, including the Francia (1580-1663), Carafa, and finally the De Sangro (1683), who converted it into a residential palace. In the 1800s, the municipality of Larino acquired it. The main façade dates back to 1818, while in 1871, the 17th-century ramp and the turreted façade were demolished. The façade on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele was built in 1888.
The palace has a square layout with a corner tower in the northeast. The entrance, accessed by two stone steps, leads to a porticoed atrium with a loggia featuring large round arches. Inside the entrance hall, there is a Roman funerary aedicule with the busts of C. Gavius Scipio and his wife Optata.
The Council Room is decorated in Art Nouveau style, with a fresco of the civic coat of arms (a wing on a blue background) and portraits of important figures from Molise’s Risorgimento. The second floor is accessible via the loggia staircase.
Today, the Ducal Palace houses the Civic Museum, the Bartolomeo Preziosi Municipal Library, and the Larino Town Hall, preserving the city’s rich history and culture.