Piazze

Piazza (plural piazze) is the Italian term for a public square or open urban space. In Italian towns and cities, a piazza is typically a central, multifunctional space that serves as a public stage for commerce, social life, and civic events. The word derives from Latin platea meaning broad space or open street; through medieval and Italian usage it came to denote a prominent square.

Piazzas are usually bordered by streets and buildings such as palazzi (palaces), churches, and shops. Many feature fountains, statues, or monuments and are organized around a church or town hall. They function as marketplaces, meeting places, and venues for religious processions, parades, concerts, and demonstrations. The layout and surrounding architecture influence how people move through and gather in the space.

Historically, piazzas trace back to Roman forums and medieval market spaces, then were redesigned or enhanced during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. They became symbols of municipal autonomy and urban identity, with architecture that emphasizes symmetry, axial sightlines, and public accessibility. Today they remain central to Italian urban life and are often among the most visited city spaces.

Famous examples include Piazza del Campo in Siena; Piazza Navona in Rome; Piazza San Marco in Venice; Piazza della Signoria in Florence. The concept also influenced public squares elsewhere, and the term piazza is used in many contexts to describe similar open spaces in Italianate towns.