Piazzas of Italy

In the center of Rome is the Piazza di Spagna. Built in the 18th century, its graceful and stylish architecture, it’ll be a welcome change from the raucous traffic of the city. What makes it more appealing is the array of colours, lent by flowers that envelop it, and its animated and cosmopolitan atmosphere. What is unique about that square is that it is the only place where decorative elements have become individual monuments.

The Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and arguably the most beautiful of Rome's many squares. Retaining the shape, of the ancient Stadium of Domitian [built by emperor Domitian in 86 AD.], Piazza Navona represents one of the most popular and most characteristic centers of Rome. This piazza is a marvel of light and sculpture.

Imagine Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Peter Leko, and Vassily Ivanchuk fighting for the final checkmate, not in the board but in real hand and feet situation. Don’t get shocked or surprised, in fact this is what exactly happening in one of the gorgeous town of northern Italy from century’s back.

The Renaissance as they say was one of the glorious eras of European civilization. The prominent marks and signs are still evident in its various forms in tangible and intangible forms. The public square in Ascoli Piceno is one such mark, which can be crowned for its superb architectural and historical importance.

Mention Venice and the first thing that pops to mind is the St. Mark’s Square. There are several squares in the world that are equal if not greater tourist magnets but Piazza San Marco, better known to the world as St. Mark's Square differs from other squares.

This piazza is popular both with the locals and the tourists. It is filled with cafes, restaurants and bars and is a favourite spot for lunch especially. There are no palaces no churches no churches and yet this piazza is always filled with people since it definitely is a people’s piazza with its liveliness and immense charm.

Piazza Barberini lies at the foot of several Roman streets including Via Barberini, Via Sistina and Via Vittorio Veneto. It is situated north of Giardini di Quirinale. It completes a loose triangle with the Spanish Steps to the northwest and the Trevi Fountain to the southwest.

Piazza Bocca della Verita is located near the Tiber river very close to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. This is an old area even for ancient Rome and the area that would become the Forum was marshland reclaimed by the Etruscan kings.

This piazza is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. On one side of the piazza you have the Carignano Theatre (Teatro Carignano), the Cambio restaurant (ristorante del Cambio), and the Pepino ice-cream parlour (gelateria Pepino). On the other side is the famous Carignano Palace (Palazzo Carignano).

Before 1842 the area, which is now called Piazza Carlo Alberto or Carl Albert Square, was the garden of the Palazzo Carignano. It was reserved as a private area for the princes and other guests of the palace. However in 1842 a park was opened in this area for the general public.

This piazza is named after Carlo Emmanuelle one of the most loved and respected rulers of Italy. It is also known as Piazza Carlina. It stands in the area bordered by the Via Po, Via Roma, Corso Vittorio and the river Po. Carlo Promis was the architect who designed and developed Piazza Carlina in 1851.

This piazza is situated at the midpoint of Via del Corso and the Romans consider it the center of the city. It has a long column (colonna) after which the piazza has been named. This column was erected by Marcus Aurelius to celebrate his victories in Persia, Germany and Armenia.

This piazza is very close to Palazzo di Citta and the Duomo. It is named after the church of Corpus Christi, whose façade dominates the square. Although it is a small square it is one of the most beautiful examples of baroque in Turin.

Piazza del Campidoglio is located on the top of the Capitoline Hill, which is one of the seven hills, which make up Rome.

Piazza del Campo may be considered as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares. It is in the center of Siena and is still considered its premier square. It is shell shaped. The city of Siena was formed on three hills. The Piazza del Campo symbolically unites the three hills on which this city is founded.

The Renaissance as they say was one of the glorious eras of European civilization. The prominent marks and signs are still evident in its various forms in tangible and intangible forms.

This piazza is named after the highest of the seven hills of Rome. It is very close to the Trevi Fountain.

This piazza is in the old heart of the city of Turin. Although it is only a few square kilometers in size it is a delightful space with a special atmosphere.

This piazza is situated in front of the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. It is five minutes away from the pantheon.

This is one of the oldest piazzas in Rome. It is one of the most perfect examples of Baroque art and architecture. It means square of peace. Pope Sixtus IV chose the name “della pace” in anticipation of the peace he wished to restore in Italy.

Piazzas or squares have been the centers for Roman life through the ages. Piazza della Rotunda is one of the more famous among them through the ages as it has one of the best-loved monuments i.e. the Pantheon in front of it.

This piazza is a small square near the pantheon. It is famous for its morning market. Food and flowers are sold here.

This is a small square, which is situated very near to Piazza Navona. It is famous for its talking statue.

The piazza di San Ignazio is situated between Via del Corso and the pantheon. It is in front of the church of San Ignazio. It has two palaces designed by Filippo Raguzinni framing it on the other side. It is a good example of 18th century urban planning.

This square is one of the more ancient squares in Rome. It is located behind the apse of the basilica of Saint Mary Major and was thus named after the church of San Maria Maggiore. It is also called Piazza del’ Esquiline as it stands on the Esquiline Hill.

This piazza is in front of the church of Saint Mary in Trastevere. This is also one of the centers of Trastevere’s nightlife.

Piazza di Trevi is famous worldwide for its Fountain, which dominates the entire square. It is located close to Piazza de Spagna towards the Quirinale. It is quite closer to Piazza Venezia.

This is an elegant square of immense proportions and welcomes the visitor with its grandeur. It has two beautiful fountains and the majesty of the Farnese Palace.

Piazza Mattei is one of the most central squares in Rome. It is named after the one of the noble family families of Rome- the Mattei family who had extensive property bordering the square.

This piazza was designed to provide access to the Palazzo Montecitorio from which it derives its name. The best way to enter this piazza is from the south. This is where you can get the best view of the obelisk and the central section of the palazzo’s façade.

This eighteenth century piazza or square was formerly known as Piazza delle Erbe. Benedetto Afieri rebuilt it in the latter half of the eighteenth century.

On turning right into Via Maria Vittorio one reaches Piazza San Carlo. It was formerly called Piazza Reale where the rice and wheat markets were held.

Piazza Saint John in Lateran is named after the famous cathedral of San Giovanni.

It is also known as St. Peter’s Square. It is located directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City in Rome. Under the direction of Pope Alexander VII, Bernini redesigned the open space in front of the basilica so that a large number of the people could see the Pope when he gave his blessings from the middle of the façade of the church or even from a window in the Vatican palace.

Piazza Savoia is situated a few metres away from Via Garibaldi after taking a right into the Via della Consolata. This is an old part of the city of Turin where it is also possible to see a few Roman ruins nearby. One can also find the Vecchia Farmacia Collegiata, a pharmacy, which was founded before 1500.

This is one of the busiest squares in Turin. It is very lovely as the end of the tree lined Via Pietro Micca opens out into the Piazza Solferino. Nineteenth century buildings including the Palazzo Ceriana surround it.

This square was opened in 1864 with the aim to complete the symmetry of the four entrances to central Turin – the other three squares being Piazza Vittorio to the east, Piazza Republica to the north and Piazza Carlo Felice to the south.

Piazza Venezia is named after the famous Palazzo Venezia. This large and sunny square is the hub of the city. It is close to many important tourist attractions like the Roman Forum and Capitol Hill. This is perhaps the only piazza, which is relatively square in shape.

Turin offers a lot of attractions both for the tourists and the locals. There are numerous churches and many picturesque city squares. One of these is the Piazza Bodoni.

Piazza Museo Nationale has been named after the famous Museo Archeologico Nationale (National Archaeological Museum). This museum is the main attraction in this square. A visit to this museum is essential for every tourist as well as fellow Italian as it is a treasure house of art.

Piazza Vittoria (Victory Square) has been named after the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria (Our Lady of Victory). It divides Caracciolo Road from Santa Lucia. Caracciolo Road ends at the edge of the square. This beautiful square opens to the sea.

Most of the famous Italian cities have a Cathedral Square or Piazza Duomo characterizing the very essence of the city. These are generally visited by both the tourists and the locals. One such prominent square in Italy is the Cathedral Square in Lecce.

This piazza or city square is lined with porticoes and is the heart of the city. It is a symbol of the greatness and the heritage of Turin. It displays the city’s long history from a Roman gate to modern skyscrapers.

This is one of the most elegant and lively piazzas in Naples. It is found at the end of Via Chiaia one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Naples.

The piazza del Duomo or Cathedral Square in Pisa is one of the most well known squares in the world. It is also known as the Field of Miracles for its extraordinary and monumental beauty amidst a vast green space.

This piazza can be considered as a lively piazza in Lecce. It is a good place to take a stroll from when exploring the baroque city of Lecce. It is characterized by the presence of a magnificent Roman amphitheatre and a column with the statue of the patron Saint Sant’Oronzo.

In the beautiful Italian City of Parma, famous for its gastronomical delights there is a historic square with a majestic cathedral and baptistery, the church of San Giovanni and the Bishop’s Palace.

Piazza Maggiore can be considered as not only the centre but also the heart of Bologna. It is lined with majestic buildings in the Romanesque and Gothic style with palazzos, a basilica, an art gallery and a beautiful fountain.

Piazza del Popolo can be considered as the focal point of the town of Ravenna. Some people say all roads in Ravenna lead to the Piazza del Popolo.

This ancient square in Palermo is renowned for the beautiful Pretoria Fountain, which dominates the square. The Palazzo Pretoria (City Hall), a magnificent ochre building and the church of Santa Caterina also form part of this piazza.

Piazza Vigliena or Quattro Canti as it is commonly referred to is in the heart of the old city center in Palermo. This square is located in the crossroads of the two main streets in Palermo: Via Vittorio Emmanuelle and Via Maqueda.

Piazza Verdi in Palermo is found at the end of the Via Bara all’ Olivia. It has been named in honour of the famous Italian composer Guiseppe Verdi This is indeed an apt name for a square, which is almost completely identified by the Teatro Massimo

Piazza Bellini one of the most splendid squares in Palermo is close to Piazza Pretoria. It has many beautiful buildings including the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell Ammiraglio, the Chiesa di San Cataldo, the Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the Teatro Bellini.

Piazza Castelnouvo may just be the square where you can begin exploring the beautiful city of Palermo as the main tourist offices of the city are situated here.

Piazza Bra derives its name from “Braida” which in Veronese means “large open space”. Although this piazza has many important and majestic buildings the main structure which dominates the square is the Arena.

The Veronese commonly refer to Piazza dei Signori as Piazza Dante. It is the heart of the older part of Verona. It is a celebration of power and the arts as it is dominated by palaces and has at its center the statue of the famous poet Dante.

Piazza Erbe is situated at the site of the Roman Forum. It lies at the heart of the city. It was the center of life in Verona in ancient times and has retained its economic importance through the ages.