Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is one of the largest and most famous city squares in Florence. It is the original site of the Roman Forum and the center of Roman Florence. Centuries later it was home to the city's Jewish ghetto, which was demolished during the period of the city's improvement works initiated while Florence was the capital of a reunited Italy. The ghetto's remains can still be seen on the square.

The piazza also served as the Mercato Vecchio, or Old Market, until 1888 when the market booths were demolished and the Loggia del Pesce that stood there was moved elsewhere. The market was replaced by the Arconte (1895), a monumental triumphal arch, and a series of administrative buildings. The statue of "Abbondanza", a copy of Donatello's version of "Plenty" which from its pillar looks out over the square, was the first profane statue to go on display in a public square since the end of antiquity.

The square today is full of street artists and impromptu shows, particularly after sunset. It is also home to the historical Caffé Gilli, Caffé Paskowski and Caffé delle Giubbe Rosse, which were meeting points for many of the city's artists and writers in the past. Also facing onto the piazza are the Hotel Savoy on Via Roma and the central Post Office, located under the arches of the portico that extends to each side of the Arch of Triumph.