Piazza Sordello, Square in Mantua, Italy

Piazza Sordello is a large square in Mantua, Italy, lined with brick buildings from different periods. The square is paved and surrounded by the cathedral, the bishop's palace, and several historic palazzi, including the Palazzo del Capitano and the Palazzo Bonacolsi.

The square was created in 1330 after the demolition of old houses that stood between two parallel streets. Over the centuries, it has been the center of political and religious life in Mantua, and in 1901 an exedra that closed the north side was demolished.

The square is named after Sordello da Goito, a poet from Mantua who wrote in Occitan and appears in Dante's Divine Comedy. Local people often cross it on their daily walks, and its open space hosts small events and gatherings.

The square is easy to reach on foot from the center of Mantua and is open at all times. It is a good starting point for exploring the nearby streets and monuments, and you can walk across it freely.

In 2006, archaeologists found mosaic floors from a Roman house in the southeast corner of the square. The remains are now displayed in a protective structure, showing that the site was important even in Roman times.