Name: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
Address: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Polignano a Mare, Apulia, Italy

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is a small picturesque square located in the historical center of Polignano a Mare.

The square is a vibrant meeting place, where the people of Polignano gather for daily interactions, social events, and seasonal festivals.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is home to a variety of cafes, gelaterias, and trattorias, where visitors can sample regional Pugliese delicacies, including the town’s famed focaccia, seafood dishes, and local wines.

SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE II

Once a marketplace in the medieval village, the square has remained the social focal point of Polignano a Mare since ancient times.

In the past, the square was known as Piazza dell’Orologio, due to the presence of Palazzo dell’Orologio in its northwestern corner.

Later, the square was named after the first king of the United Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE II

In the northeastern corner of the square, there is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta), the former Cathedral of Polignano a Mare.

In 1818, when the small diocese of Polignano was merged with that of Monopoli, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta became the mother church of the village.

Inside are kept some works attributed to the sculptor Stefano da Putignano, and the important Polyptych of the Madonna with Child and Saints, from the 15th century, by Bartolomeo Vivarini.

In the northwestern corner of the square, there is Palazzo dell’Orologio, which has medieval origins, and was, originally, part of a convent for nuns.

Palazzo dell’Orologio was repurposed over time, and eventually became the seat of the city’s Town Hall.

In the second half of the 18th century, a clock was added to the facade, replacing an old sundial.

In the corner between the two buildings, there is a small fountain, Fontana San Vito.