In medieval European cities, as a rule, there were two main squares - Market Square and Cathedral Square. The Market Square was almost always combined with the Town Hall. But in developed Florence, all these squares - Piazza Signoria, Piazza Duomo and this square were divided. But this square is the oldest of all, because in Roman times there was a forum here, and at the intersection of two main streets - cardum (present-day Via Roma) and decumanum (present-day Via Corso) there was a column. It still stands today, only with a statue of Donatello on top. The only thing that reminds us of the ancient Roman past of the square. In the Middle Ages, a market settled on the site of the destroyed Forum, and the square was significantly smaller in size, as the paintings of that time indicate. Around there was a chaotic cluster of houses, traditional for the Middle Ages, at least somehow harmonized by the Roman layout of streets, which, as we know, were oriented to the cardinal points. A Jewish ghetto was formed around the market by decree of Lorenzo the Magnificent. After the unification of Italy and the short stay of Florence as the capital of the new state, the authorities decided to demolish all medieval buildings in order to combat cholera and unsanitary conditions. The square was expanded and palaces were built along the perimeter. Among them are Palazzo Trianon, which now houses the leader of expensive Italian retail La Rinascente, Palazzo Levi designed by Giuseppe Boccini (1893), the Palace of the Red Vests designed by Torquato del Lungo, which houses the famous Giubbe Rosso cafe of the same name, the fashionable Savoy Hotel on the corner of 1898 year, designed by the architect Vincenzo Micheli. He also designed the dominant feature of the square - the Palazzo dell'Arcone with a huge arch, which the city residents did not like due to its suspiciously Roman style. Before the ensemble of the square was completed, in 1890 a statue of King Vittorio Emmanuel II, seated on a large, fat-assed horse, was erected with pomp. The Florentines did not like the mustachioed native of Piedmont, and they moved him under Mussolini to another square. Along the way, the city with a republican past renamed the square from the piazza named after the above-mentioned king to the Republic Square, which, you see, is more logical. Piazza della Repubblica is unnaturally large for Florence, so to shorten it, a carousel was installed on it, which is reminiscent of its fair past, and it’s also nice for children...

My husband and I stayed literally around the corner from the Piazza della Repubblica! Almost every day/night musicians would be playing right in the center! There are great restaurants to go eat at in this piazza, as well as getting a few drinks and sitting at the edges (on super comfy chairs) and just watching the festivities happen in the piazza. We spent a lot of time just hanging out in the area and visiting all the local shops! You can get a horse and carriage ride, pretty much anywhere in the area. This was one of my favorite parts about visiting Italy! Its also located near so many amazing restaurants and gelato shops. It is in short walking distance from the train station and the central market. I would definitely spend a night in this area! We will definitely be coming back!

This is the location of the origin Roman era forum during ancient times. It then served as a market square during the Middle Ages. Today, the rectangular shaped public square is the result of 19th-century urban planning. You see a large palace archway entry and portico lined arcade on the west side of the square. There are cafes with alfresco outdoor seating on the north and south side along with a carrousel in middle and historic Column of Abundance on the east side facing Via Calimala. During past visits to Florence, we have enjoyed chocolate fairs and other festive events at Piazza del Repubblica. This time the square was much quieter, just a place to pass through from one location to another while sightseeing around the city centre.

Charming public square where once stood a marketplace dating back to medieval times. The area was torn down and rebuilt between 1885-1895 when Florence was briefly the capital of a newly united Italy. The construction included the impressive triumphal arch. Today the square is lined with restaurants and cafes and contains a carousel. Street musicians regularly perform adding some liveliness to the square.

Piazza della Repubblica is a beautiful public square with a long history to go. Originally it was the market place of the city. However it has undergone a number of changes since and now it is a place to have a cup of coffee, or a bite to eat or just meet other people. It is one of the nicer public spaces in the city.

Republic Square. It is also a central square but less famous than other squares. However, in the evening, there are people. For the carousel, for the younger ones. Across the street is the Grand Inn of the City. To its right are the famous arcades of which several films have been shot inside. Across the street there are restaurant terraces. It's a standard Italian place. It stays quite crowded in the summer evening.