Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is the result of the nineteenth-century demolition of the old city centre, following Florence’s period as capital of Italy (1865–1871). This had been one of its most distinctive areas, preserving an almost intact medieval fabric of narrow streets and closely packed buildings for centuries. Alongside medieval towers, workshops and homes were the Jewish ghetto and Vasari’s Fish Loggia, later rebuilt in Piazza de’ Ciompi. At the centre stood the Old Market Square, on the site of the Roman forum. The Column of Abundance marks the meeting of the cardo and decumanus, the two principal Roman streets. The demolition was presented as necessary to restore sanitary conditions. The monumental arcade built by Vincenzo Micheli in 1895 dominates the far side of the square. Passing under its great central arch brings you easily to Palazzo Strozzi and Via Tornabuoni. Along the square’s sides, numerous venues include important historic cafés, once meeting places for artists and writers.