Piazza del Popolo, Central square in Ravenna, Italy.
Piazza del Popolo is a rectangular square in Ravenna featuring Venetian-style buildings with arched openings, stone pillars, and balconies running along its sides. The square houses the municipal building Palazzo Merlato, the Prefecture, and multiple banking institutions within these historic structures.
The square emerged during Venetian rule in the late 15th century, when a formerly marshy area was transformed into an urban center. This transformation introduced the characteristic architecture that continues to define the space today.
Two granite columns in the center display statues of patron saints Apollinaris and Vitalis, which replaced earlier Venetian symbols after 1509. These religious figures remain central to how locals understand the square's role in their city's identity.
The square is open and straightforward to navigate, with clear sightlines from one end to the other. Tree-lined edges offer occasional seating spots, and the flat terrain makes it accessible for visitors of all mobility levels.
At the base of both columns are Roman-era circular plinths displaying bas-reliefs of zodiac signs, including the unusual thirteenth symbol of Ophiuchus. This overlooked detail connects ancient symbolism with a rare astrological representation.
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