Piazzetta

Piazzetta is an Italian term meaning a small public square, derived from piazza with the diminutive suffix -etta. In Italian usage, a piazzetta typically denotes a compact, intimate square that serves as a local gathering place near churches, markets, or along a street. The word is widely used in toponymy to name small squares or public spaces in towns and cities across Italy and in Italian-speaking communities.

A well-known use of the term in popular culture is La Piazzetta, Capri, commonly simply called the Piazzetta. This small square in Capri town is a famous social hub lined with cafés and steps, and is recognized by visitors as a central point for meeting and social activity.

Piazzetta is also a surname in Italy. Notable bearers include Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, a Venetian painter of the late Baroque period known for his religious and genre scenes and for employing dramatic light and shadow effects.

In broader usage, Piazzetta may appear as part of many place names, reflecting the prevalence of small squares in Italian urban design. The term can denote a specific square or serve as a general descriptor in travel writing and art references.