Piazza della Repubblica is located in the heart of the Florence City Center and is considered to be the first piazza in Florence. This piazza is one of the most prominent in Florence, making it likely you will stumble upon it during your travels, even if you were not specifically looking for it. For these reasons, Piazza della Repubblica is a logical place to stop and find when trying to gather your bearings and to know something about, as you will most likely cross through it several times during any trip to Florence.
The origins of the Piazza della Repubblica can be traced back to the Roman forum that was present on the site in the ancient city of Florentia. Standing on the eastern edge of the square (furthest away from the large arch and facing it), you can still see the main axes of the Roman camp with the north-south running to you left and right and the east-west axis running from under the arch to behind you.
During the Middle Ages, the Piazza was home to the main market in Florence until the 16th Century when a larger market was completed just two block south (closer to the river and Ponte Vecchio), and thus the area became known as Mercato Vecchio or Old Market. At this time the square was not nearly as large as it appears today. The Mercato Vecchio was small and rectangular; choked with market stalls, shrines, churches, and home to two synagogues, one Florentine and one Spanish. The only remnant from this original square today is the Colonna dell'Abbondanza or Column of Abundance which is located in the north-eastern part of the square.
The Piazza della Repubblica that you see today began to take shape after the unification of Italy and the proclamation of Florence as capital of Italy. Plans were then made to widen the square and to clear out many of the buildings that had been unchanged from the Medieval period. In their place were built the large palazzoni, or palaces, you see today. The large portico with the 'triumphal arch’ on the west side of the square was constructed at the end of the 19th Century as well, and carries the inscription “L'ANTICO CENTRO DELLA CITTÀ; DA SECOLARE SQUALLORE; A VITA NUOVA RESTITUITO” which translates to ‘The ancient center of the city; restored from old-age squalor; to new life.
Today, located in the center of the square is an iconic carousel. One ticket for an adult costs €1.50. Two blocks off the square is Cinema Odeon, an 85 year old theatre located in Palazzo Strozzino, which was built in 1462. The cinema is not only home to theater and film festivals but also shows Hollywood films in English. The central post office for Florence is also located on Via Pellicceria in the square. It is under the portico on the right hand side. Look for the red mailboxes outside the door.
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