Viva la Piazza!

Piazzas or open exterior paved public squares are the ideal spaces for travellers to experience the heartbeat of Italy's cities and towns.

- Text * Brinda Gill Photos * Shutterstock

The awe-inspiring city-state of Vatican City, infused with sanctity and magnificent religious art, is a sacred enclave surrounded by Rome. The Forum evokes the grandeur of an expansive imperial city; the monumental Colosseum, once a vibrant amphitheatre for public entertainment including gladiator fights; the impressive Pantheon, built as a temple for the gods; the Castle of the Holy Angel, originally constructed as a mausoleum; the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, once the largest bath complex in the world, and many other monuments across Rome recreate the splendour of the city's ancient, rich culture and heritage.

Among these wonders are beautiful piazzas or open exterior paved public squares that trace their origins to centuries past. Typically traffic-free, pedestrian-only areas, piazzas are hemmed by heritage buildings and meshed physically within neighbourhoods or precincts and emotionally in the hearts and minds of residents for whom a piazza is like a second home.

Water cascading from decorative fountains; a musician singing a poignant love song; a merry-go-round with delighted children; bells chiming from a nearby tower; people chatting, shopping for flowers, food or garments; tourists browsing souvenirs and taking pictures; diners at indoor and al fresco cafés and restaurants... all come together to create a vivid tableau of daily life. These charming elements make Rome’s already beautiful piazzas sparkle with life and verve, offering the perfect spaces for travellers to soak in local history and flavour.

Ancient origins