Tags
italy, Photography, Piazza, Piazza del Campo, Piazza Navona, Piazze, Rome, San Marco Piazza, Siena, tavel, venice
Wherever you go in Italy you will mostly always find a piazza in every town, village or city. In fact, in the cities you will usually find more than one.
A piazza is an open public square, usually surrounded by buildings. They are the meeting and gathering place for locals however you will often find visitors there also. There is always something happening in a piazza and they are a great place for people watching.
The Italian piazza is the centre of public life. You’ll often find a bar or cafe and a church or town hall on the main piazza. Many of Italy’s piazze have decorative statues or fountains. Piazze is the plural of piazza.
Although there are many famous piazze around Italy, including Piazza San Marco in Venice, Piazza del Campo in Siena, Piazza Navona in Rome, you will also find that most villages regardless of their size will have a piazza. They are a part of Italian life.
One of the joys of touring Italy is to spend time doing nothing (far niente) at a restaurant or bar located in a piazza, even if just for the people watching, but be aware that in famous squares like Venice’s Piazza San Marco, sitting at a table for a drink can be very expensive. However, when in Venice do make sure that you treat yourself to at least one glass of your favourite beverage while taking in the sights and sounds and sitting at Piazza San Marco. The experience is more than worth every cent spent.
When I think back over the many piazze that I have visited over the years there are a few that are special to me. For many reasons I suppose, not just for their beauty or statues or fountains but also for the memories of the good times that I have enjoyed.
My most special piazza in Rome is Piazza Navona, so consequently I can never visit Rome without lots of time spent at Piazza Navona. In fact, this is my pick of areas also to stay when in Rome.
This is such a beautiful space. The fountains, churches and buildings are all so harmonious. Piazza Navona is another of Rome’s many musts.
Piazza Navona contains two of Bernini’s masterpieces; the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Although the church is brilliant, it is the fountain that brings me back again and again.
We went there in the evening and sat watching the beautiful fountain all lit up in golden lights – it was super busy, with artists painting, performing, singing, and people everywhere, also many folks dining in restaurants around the piazza. The other 2 fountains are a little less crowded, so you can sit near them and view the central one.
Lunch by the piazza is a wonderful experience and then dinner in the evening is spectacular. There is a good selection of cafes and bars. It seems to always be very busy, but pick a nice spot, grab some food and a bottle of wine and just sit back, relax and people watch. Brilliant
I love this Piazza as well. They are a point of Italian life gor meeting with family and friends.
Thanks George. They are very much a part of the Italian way
I love the piazza too! Just be careful though as sometimes they will charge a lot more for a drink…remember Florence?
Yes Mary, I remember Florence and also the Vatican to mention just 2
It most certainly is a wonderous place especially at night. I love the life surge in the piazze in every city they are just wonderful.. Wish we had more here in oz. xx
Yes Donna, how great it would be to have them here in Aus. I thought of you as I wrote this post as I know how much you love Piazza Navona xx
Just wonderful – no wonder you love Italy.
Yes Kay, pretty special hey
I love piazzas in Italy too. They are the heartbeat of every town. Love the concept :) my favorite till now is the Piazza Campo in Siena of which I wrote last night and it will be up soon. I also loved the Piazza in Gubbio
Yes Ishita, I was including Piazza Campo in this post but I don’t go over 500 words so I will write about it later. Thanks Always good to hear from you.
I am already looking forward to your next post, love reading about Italy through your eyes. Likewise. I know we will meet someday. Keep me posted on your Italy plans :)
Thanks Ishita. I always like hearing your comments. I will definitely return to Italy next year as I missed this year. But, I don’t know when yet.
On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 3:57 PM, Travelling Italy with Lyn wrote:
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Thank you, Me too, hopefully. Shall stay in touch on it. Would love to visit Bagni di Lucca.
To me, Bagni di Lucca is living the dream. It is everything I want when I am in Italy. I much prefer the regional areas over the big crowded cities. See you in Italy one day
On Thu, Oct 29, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Travelling Italy with Lyn wrote:
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I agree, I know it is close to your heart. The big towns are good only for a day or two sadly. See u Lyn
I also like the Piazza delle Rotonda in front of the Pantheon. Piazza Navona is a favorite as well. Nice post Lyn, and I too love the piazze it Italy!
Yes Susan, that piazza is fabulous. I love it at night especially
Well you always make me feel like I am there😍
I have been to Italy along time ago but seeing it through your eyes Lyn is magical. Thank you. Xx
Great idea for a post Lyn. Has got me thinking about piazze. I love the Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno; the small piazza in Cerreto Sanita – felt like we’d found a film set; and in Napoli the wide, cobbled space of Piazza del Plebiscito – so grand, simple, empty, with Vesuvius peering in over one corner.
Hi Georgie. Ascoli Piceno was to be in this post but my rule is maximum 500 words. So it will appear in part 2. Thanks for reading and commenting Lyn On 29/10/2015 6:55 PM, “Travelling Italy with Lyn” wrote:
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The piazzes are the peace de resistance of Italy. xxx gg
Yeah they are Gail. Good description xx
I love when people from other countries find something so simple in the every day life of other cultures THAT special and unique. We can forget it sometimes. Thank you Lyn to remind me the beauty of my country! :D
Thanks Jessica. There is so much to love in Italy and for me it is the simple things.
Reblogged this on Make Italy Yours.
Piazza Navona was absolutely my favorite place in Rome. I’ve only been home two weeks and I am already scanning apartment rentals near Piazza Navona. I can always dream, can’t I?
I understand. I do the same thing. Yes, Piazza Navona is the best for me. Still part of the Roma scene but a little away from the heavy tourist areas. Thanks for visiting my blog
Thanks for following my new WP blog. As you know I love Italy and I’ve been to most of these piazze. I wish in Australia we had piazze like these. :-)
I agree Denise. They are such a great part of life
Piazza Navona in Rome sure is fantastic, from the fountains to the buildings and the activity on the square. I regret not going into the large churches on the side.
Piazza Navona is an easy place to spend a lot of time. I did not make it into the churches either, next time. Thanks for stopping by.