Piazza della Repubblica, Florence

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This piazza was built between 1890 and 1917. It replaced the medieval town center or Mercato Vecchio . This was a trading and bartering center.

Today on this piazza there are several very chic and expensive bars and restaurants and a wonderful old carosel. It is a good meeting place and everynight you will find buskers singing and playing their music.

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THE PIZZA DELLA REPUBBLIA IS THE VERY CENTER OF FLORENCE PLANNED IN THE 19TH CENT WHEN FLORENCE FOR A SHORT TIME WAS ITALYS CAPITAL ,IT IS BUILT OVER WHAT ONCE WAS THE ROMAN FORUM .THE WHOLE OF THE MEDIEVAL QUARTER WAS DEMOLISHED INCLUDING THE OLD MARKET .THE ARCH THOU IMPRESSIVE SEEMS OUT OF PLACE IN FLORENCE’S MEDIEVAL CITY.

Walking back through this historical plaza, after the Archaeology Museum, I bumped into a political rally!. Or what I assumed was one. Many people were wearing new, identical hats, carrying red flags, marching into the square or standing there looking towards the man with the microphone. He was very obviously giving a rousing speech. In Italian, of course, so I didn't understand it. The police were all over, too, so I was a bit worried that everyone would be beaten & arrested! Ha ha, but what do I know? I'm a foriegner, right? It was hot & not pleasant to stand there, so I decided to continue on my merry way!

This photo I snapped doesn't show many of the people that were there! And as I left, I passed a parade arriving, too. Very exciting!!! Even without getting arrested! Truth? I've never been arrested, though I've been in my share of political rallies & protest marches in the USA.

This square dates from the 19th century and was the previous site of the Roman forum. It is lined with some of Florence's oldest and best known cafe's and restaurants. There is always something going on here whether it be dancing, music or just people watching other people go by.

There are two massive squares in Florence. The Piazza de Signoria and the Piazza de Repubblica. I don't remember which one this is.. but both have cafes on either side and are a great place for a drink and rest.

Piazza Della Repubblica is really in the center. On the left (or right depends on where you are) is the Duomo and on the right is Piazza Della Signoria. There are no museums at this piazza but there are some shops and restaurants, quite good I might add, and banks and post offices. And a movie theater is close by!

At nights there are some entertainers, its fun to watch but mind the pickpockets!

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Piazza della Repubblica is the largest Piazza in Florence.

It is lined with expensive cafes and a couple of expensive hotels (where I can only dream of staying!!).

It is always bustling, filled with people, street performers and a few market vendors.

I love to buy a gelato nearby and find some where to perch and watch the action.

If you a feeling cashed up, pull up a seat at an outdoor table at one of the cafes and you can do your people watching in comfort!

Its the business district of Florence...
But drown by the overwhelming presence of art ...
Florence ? Business ? That scares me...

But a good place to meet up ..
A place with a cool bookshop ...
A favourite place for night hangout ...
But definitely a place you cant find toilet

( I was there waiting for my friend when the nature calls , I went around asking for public toilets but these people ask me to use those in the restaurants - which i dont like since I am not a patron . Thank god there is a shopping mall nearby , and whats more when the toilet its at top floor ....get out of my way people of Firenze ....unless you wanna ...hehehe )

This 19th century square was built over an ancient Roman Forum. Most of the old classical buildings are gone. The square was modernized in the 19th century to honor a modern and united Italy. Today the square has fine outdoor cafes, pastry shops, gelaterias, a bookstore and a carousel.

Built to commemorate the unification of Italy after centuries of a feudal and divided country.

Inscription reads: "The ancient heart of the city was restored to new life from its former squalor', 1895