The most ancient parts of the complex of municipal building and the church of St. Bartholomew, once the convent and church of St. Bartholomew, most probably date back to the time when St. Francis of Assisi was in the area.
The entire complex was ceded to the Municipality of Arsoli in 1878 by the Italian state, following the Capture of Rome and the end of pontifical rule. The municipality housed offices, the police station and several classes of the elementary school in the ex-convent, while several rooms from the rear of the building and the Church were given back to the Franciscan friars. In 1885, the convent cloister was roofed over for use as a meeting room for the town council.