podesta

noun2

1. •
   (historical) A chief magistrate of various Italian republics and city-states in the Middle Ages.

   • Secular palaces, such as that of the Tolomei, were rented for municipal use, and officials such as the Podestà were found lodgings in others. — 2022
2. •
   (historical) A municipal administrator during the Italian Fascist regime (1927–43).

   • M.B. herself is tormented by anxiety […] for her husband, who, as Podestà of this town, is likely soon to get into trouble. — 1943