Anyone who goes to to Europe is always amazed at the grand squares in many of the cities and towns which are both gathering places and showcases. Most of them are lined with popular cafes and shops, and are busy at all hours of the day and night. They are often scattered with fountains and sculptures as well as elegant edifices. Below is a list of some of our favorites.

 

       1. Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square), Venice, Italy

               St Mark’s was once described as the "drawing room of Europe" because it has been a meeting place for people from all over the world for many years. It is huge and elegant, anchored at one end by the incredible Basilica San Marco, one of the most distinctive and well-known churches in the world and its dramatic Campanile. Outdoor dining covers much of the perimeter, with numerous shops under the arches which support the commercial and residential buildings which line the square. It is also known for the ubiquitous pigeons which are fed by tourists to get interesting pictures. The clock in one corner of the square claims to be the first digital clock.

 

       2. Grand Place. Brussels, Belgium

                Perhaps the most stunningly beautiful square in all of Europe is the Grand Place. The square is surrounded by incredibly-gilded, elegant buildings (Guild houses which were obviously in competition with one another to erect the grandest administrative office). In addition, the Hotel De Ville (Town Hall) is an architectural gem with its 70 meter tall tower and numerous statues, spires and gargoyles. Plus, every other August, the square is the scene of a giant floral display that covers much of the square a in a colorful carpet of begonias (see photo album). 

 

       3.  Starometske nam (Old Town Square), Prague, Czech Republic

               Old Town Square (Starometske nam) is one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe with its pastel-colored palaces, striking churches, numerous outdoor cafes, and busy pedestrians. Particularly enchanting is the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock, which entertains visitors with its workings every hour on the hour. Note also the large statue of Jan Hus, a religious reformer, the Baroque St Nicholas Church, and, perhaps most striking of all, at least from the outside, the Gothic Tyn Church with its twin steeples which towers over most of the other buildings.

 

        4. Piazza dei Miracoli, Pisa, Italy

               The Leaning Tower of Pisa and its Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) is a spectacular religious sight. Three buildings, the Baptistry, the Duomo, and the Campanile (Leaning Tower) occupy a broad grassy plain. Each building would be a centerpiece in its own right, but to have them all together in one location is wonderful. Despite the commercialism across the street, this spot is awe-inspiring.

 

        5. Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy

               Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s largest and most beautiful squares. Built on the site of a 1st century stadium, it is oval in shape and is lined with sidewalk cafes and palaces. However, it is the three gorgeous, Baroque fountains which make it a Mecca of both tourists and locals.

               Directly in front of the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone is Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. The rivers symbolized include the Nile, the Ganges, the Plata, and the Danube.

               At one end of the square is the Fountain of the Moor (which was also designed by Bernini), another beautiful Baroque fountain.

               The piazza is one of the major gathering places in the inner city and is often crowded with people, especially at night.

 

        6. Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

               Because of its location and its popularity as a gathering place, the Plaza Mayor is one of Europe’s greatest squares. It is huge, surrounded by beautiful, majestic buildings which house shops, restaurants, etc. It is a wonderful place for strolling or for sitting and enjoying a “cervesa” (beer) or coffee.

 

         7. Rynek Glowny (Old Town Square), Krakow, Poland

               Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), is a huge (the largest Medieval square in all of Europe) and delightful mix of shops, restaurants with outdoor dining, pubs, mimes, street musicians, etc. The atmosphere is extremely festive with thousands of people enjoying the area. At one end of the square is St Mary’s Church. From its bell tower, in the 13th century, a trumpeter was warning the townspeople with his horn that the enemy Tatars were approaching, when he was struck and killed by an arrow. Each hour, this scene is reenacted with the trumpeter beginning his warning and never completing it.

               The interior of St Mary’s Church is positively stunning. Ceilings and columns are painted a dark shade of red or maroon while many of the baroque accoutrements are black with gold trim, creating a striking appearance. The main altarpiece is exquisite (considered the finest Gothic sculpture in Poland). Unfortunately, picture-taking is prohibited.

               In the center of the square is the 16th century Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) which is now lined with myriad small shops selling assorted crafts. On the opposite side of the square from St Mary’s is the Town Hall tower which visitors may climb for a bird’s eye view of the square.

 

          8. Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy

                The Piazza della Signoria is a spectacular example of the incorporation of great art into a public space to make it more than special. There are three notable statues in the square: 1. The Rape of the Sabine Women, by Giambologna, 2. Perseus, by Cellini, and 3. a copy of the David, by Michelangelo. Bordering the piazza is the Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence, with its imposing bell tower, a landmark of the city’s famous skyline, and the Neptune Fountain. What a fantastic environment in which to have lunch or a beer al fresco!.

 

          9. Markt Square, Bruges, Belgium

                 Markt Square, the larger and more distinctive of Bruges’ two lovely main squares, is bordered on one side by a row of colorful buildings with characteristic Dutch architecture. At the opposite end of the huge square is City Hall, with its incredibly tall tower. Along another side is the more-classic-looking Provincial Court.

 

          10. Trafalgar Square, London, England

                 Trafalgar Square is one of Europe’s great gathering places, with its fountain, its pigeons, and its sculptures. The tall monolith topped by the statue of Lord Trafalgar, for which the square is named, is the focal point. Around the square are several significant London attractions, such as the British Museum and the St Martin-in-the-Fields Church.

 

          11. Place de Concorde, Paris, France

                 The Place de la Concorde is an elegant square and the historical location of the guillotine used to execute King Louis XVI and others in 1793. Today it contains the Luxor Obelisk, an Egyptian monument over 3300 years old. This square is a bit difficult to appreciate because of the noise and traffic.  However, it is lined by stately Government buildings and marks the beginning of one of the world’s greatest thoroughfares, the Champs Elysses.

 

          12. Marienplatz, Munich, Germany

                The center of activity in the city of Munich is the Marienplatz (Mary’s square), a huge area encircled by interesting buildings, including the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) which does not appear new at all since it was built in the Gothic style with numerous statues, gargoyles, and towers. Its tall, main tower contains the famous Glockenspiel which performs several times each day. These performances last approximately ten minutes and include several sets of figures moving around (there are dancers, knights jousting, and a cock crowing). Find a good viewing location several minutes before the show starts.

                Also on this square is the Altes (old) Rathaus, which is a pretty, Medieval, wooden building with a green tower that announces the time of day on the hour and half-hour. Note also the golden statue of Mary on a column in the center of the square. Take the time to stop at a tavern with outdoor seating (there are many) to have a brew and people-watch.

 

          13. Piazza San Pietro, Vatican City

                 The Piazza San Pietro is a huge area, enclosed by two semi-circles of colonnades topped with sculptures. Its centerpiece is St Peter’s Basilica, the central symbol of the Roman Catholic religion, located within Vatican City, the world’s smallest state, which lies entirely within the city of Rome. The Basilica, with its impressive dome, designed by Michelangelo, is the largest church in the world, and probably also contains the most wealth.

 

          14. Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy

                 All activity in Siena centers around the Piazza del Campo, which is a huge, semi-circular square. Twice a year, the square becomes a horse-racing park for the Palio, a winner-take-all competition between the local “contrada” (roughly, parishes). At other times of the year, the Piazza is simply the major gathering place for residents and tourists alike. Dominating the square is the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic Town Hall, which dates back to 1342. 

 

          15. Mozartplatz, Salzburg, Austria

                 Mozartplatz (Mozart Square) is one of the two main squares of the city of Salzburg. The chimes of the Glockenspiel play a Mozart melody several times during the day and there is a large statue of the master.

 

           16. Cathedral Square, Milan, Italy

                  Cathedral Square, in the northern Italian city of Milan is of great interest to the tourist because of the Duomo, one of the largest and most beautiful churches in the world, and the opera house, La Scala, perhaps the premier venue of its kind in the world, which are at opposite ends of this extremely expansive square. Another side houses the Galleria, a collection of up-scale shops.

 

            17. Dam Square, Amsterdam, Netherlands

                  Hectic and noisy Dam Square is the site of Amsterdam’s Royal Palace and also the Niewe Kerk (New Church). Directly across from the palace is the National Monument, a white column with numerous sculptures.

 

            18. Plaza Mayor, Salamanca, Spain

                  Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor rivals Madrid’s in size and splendor, with numerous outdoor cafes at which to sip “una cervesa” (a beer) or two. The honey-colored stone is especially striking. Since Salamanca is a university town, there are many young people about and an attitude of free-wheeling fun and frolic in the air.

 

            19. Burg Square, Bruges, Belgium