Piazza dei Martiri, Square in Carpi, Italy

Piazza dei Martiri is a square in Carpi, Italy, known for being one of the largest in the country. It is surrounded by a cathedral, a castle, and several historic buildings with arcades.

The square took its current shape at the beginning of the 16th century under the House of Pio of Savoy, when the arcades were built and the castle was completed. After World War II, it was renamed in memory of 16 people killed by fascists in 1944, and a monument was placed at the foot of the castle.

The square is the heart of Carpi, where people gather for markets, festivals, and everyday strolls. The arcades along the sides offer shade and shelter, and the cafes set up tables outside when the weather is nice.

The square is easy to reach on foot from the center of Carpi, and its flat surface makes it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat and to see locals going about their day.

Pope Francis visited the square in April 2017 and delivered a homily there, recalling the 2012 earthquake. The square was known as Piazza Vittorio Emanuele for a long time after the unification of Italy.