Parks & gardens
Piazza della Repubblica
Piazza della Repubblica is a city square in Florence, Italy. It was originally the site of the city's forum; then of its old Jewish ghetto, which was swept away during the improvement works, or Risanamento, initiated during the brief period when Florence was the capital of a reunited Italy—work that also created the city's avenues and boulevards. At that time, the Loggia del Pesce from the Mercato Vecchio was also moved to Piazza Ciompi. The square's Giubbe Rosse cafe has long been a meeting place for famous artists and writers, notably those of Futurism.
Piazza della Repubblica
This is one of Florence's main squares, built in the late 19th century on the site of the city's ancient Roman forum and, later, its Jewish ghetto, both cleared away during the Risanamento redevelopment that shaped modern central Florence. The square is bordered by porticoes and 19th-century buildings rather than medieval architecture, which makes it stand out from the rest of the historic centre. A traveller would come here less for a single monument and more for the atmosphere: outdoor cafes, a carousel, and street performers, along with the historic Caffè Giubbe Rosse, once a gathering place for Futurist artists and writers.
Getting there
The square sits right in the historic centre, within walking distance of the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. From most points in central Florence it's a walk of 10 minutes or less; there is no need for public transport if you're already staying nearby.
How much time to allow
Fifteen to thirty minutes is enough to walk through and get a sense of the square, longer if you stop for a coffee at one of the cafes under the porticoes.
When to go
The square is a busy pedestrian crossroads for much of the day, especially in the late afternoon and evening when the cafes fill up. Early morning is quieter if you want to see it without the crowds.
Combine with
Its central location makes it easy to pair with several nearby sights: Orsanmichele (0.1km), the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (0.2km), Palazzo Davanzati (0.2km), and the Florence Baptistery (0.2km) are all within a couple of minutes' walk, making this a natural stop on a walking route through the centre.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
