Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is the main square of Modena, located in the historical center of the city.

The square, together with the Cathedral of Modena and the Ghirlandina Tower, was included in 1997 in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA GRANDE

The residential nucleus of the medieval Modena was formed around the ancient cathedral of the city, starting with the 7th century.

Towards the end of the 9th century, the bishop Leodoino fortified the city, and the oldest part of the current Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) was built near the cathedral.

In 1099, the construction of the new cathedral began and the square began to take shape. Its northern side was defined by the Cathedral, the western side by the Bishop’s Palace, and the eastern side by the Town Hall.

In 1501, Modena was hit by an earthquake, and the merlons of the Town Hall fell. In 1580, the square was cleaned, and the paving was arranged with stones and bricks.

At the beginning of the 17th century, a new building was built on the southern side of the square for the Residence of the Judges (Residentia dei Giudici).

In the first half of the 19th century, the square was called Piazza della Rivoluzione (Revolution Square), some small buildings adjacent to the Town Hall were demolished, and the clock of Palazzo Comunale was replaced.

In 1885, a competition was announced for a new courthouse, which was won by the architect Giacomelli from Treviso. The new palace, with a portico and surmounted by statues, was completed in 1892.

During the Second World War, on November 10, 1944, the fascists killed the partisans Emilio Po, Alfonso Piazza and Giacomo Ulivi in Piazza Grande.

In 1961, the courthouse built by Giacomelli was demolished, and was replaced with a modern building designed by the architect Gio Ponti.

Piazza Grande, with the Cathedral of Modena on the left and the Town Hall on the right

ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA GRANDE

On the northern side of the square stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Geminiano.

The Cathedral, a masterpiece of the Romanesque style, was built starting with 1099, and completed in the 13th century.

On the eastern side of Piazza Grande, there is Palazzo Comunale, a 17th-century palace with arcades, which united the ancient medieval buildings of the Municipality and Palazzo della Ragione.

On the western side of the square, is the rear part of the Bishop’s Palace, while on the southern side is the modern structure built by Gio Ponti, also with arcades.

HOW TO GET TO PIAZZA GRANDE

Piazza Grande is located about 1 kilometer away from the Modena railway station. The closest bus stop is on Corso Duomo, about 50 meters away, on the bus Line 11.