In addition to being meeting places for locals and tourists, many of Florence’s public squares or squares are open-air galleries. Explore these spaces for yourself with this list of some of the most important squares in Florence and what you will find in them.
Piazza della Signoria
The historically most important square in Florence, Piazza della Signoria, has long been a meeting place for Florentines and visitors. In the shadow of the Palazzo Vecchio, the wide square has been the site of political demonstrations, festivals and the infamous “Bonfire of the Vanities” during the 15th century. Several beautiful statues from the Renaissance period decorate the Piazza della Signoria and it is next to one of the most important attractions in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery.
Piazza del Duomo
This is a fairly small square in terms of space to walk, as it is largely taken up by the cathedral complex that includes the Duomo, the Baptistery, and the Campanile. Adjacent to Piazza del Duomo, and often considered part of the square, is Piazza San Giovanni. The Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, is technically located in Piazza San Giovanni. Therefore, this district of Florence is also known as the San Giovanni district.
Republic square
The Piazza della Repubblica is a vast space surrounded by bustling (and expensive) cafes and posh hotels. The square is located in the historic center of the city, a few blocks from the Duomo and at the intersection of two ancient Roman roads, the Cardo and the Decumanus. Unfortunately, neither ancient nor medieval remains remain on this square, as it was restructured in the 19th century during the short period when Florence became the capital of a unified Italy. A redeeming quality: there is a lovely carousel in the square that the children will enjoy.
Piazza Santa Croce
East of Piazza della Signoria and not far from the banks of the Arno, Piazza Santa Croce is one of the largest squares in Florence. It is a regular venue for festivals, concerts and demonstrations, including the fantastic Calcio Storico match, in which locals play soccer (football) in traditional dress. Surrounded by medieval buildings with the massive Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce at one end, the square has been a focal point of civic life since the 13th century.
Santissima Annunziata square
A fairly small square tucked away in the northeast quadrant of the city near San Marco and the Accademia, Piazza Santissima Annunziata is named after the 13th century church of the same name. The square is particularly beautiful because the Santissima Annunziata church and the Ospedale degli Innocenti, a 15th-century hospital / orphanage designed by Brunelleschi, are defined by harmonious arcades. The latter, which today contains a small gallery of images on its upper floor, is also decorated with round terracotta reliefs designed by Andrea della Robbia. In the center of the square there is an equestrian statue of the Grand Duke Ferdinand I of Giambologna and two fountains by Pietro Tacca.
Santo Spirito square
Piazza Santo Spirito is named after the Santo Spirito church, but it must derive its name from the lively cafes and markets that call this square home. Located on the Oltrarno side (across the Arno) of Florence, Piazza Santo Spirito is favored by Florentines due to its daily food market, which is open from 8 am to 2 pm, and its bars, restaurants and cafes relatively non-touristy. On Sundays, Piazza Santo Spirito hosts a second-hand market with antiques and other foods, and in the summers, you can occasionally find live music in the square.
Piazzale Michelangelo
High above the city is Piazzale Michelangelo, a must-see for coach tours of Florence. The square contains a fantastic panoramic view of the city and a copy of Michelangelo’s statue of David. Other than that, the square is lined with souvenir vendors and brimming with cars and buses.
