Piazza del Popolo (People's Square), Ravenna

Piazza del Popolo is the vibrant heart of the city of Ravenna. For more than seven centuries, it has served as the location of powerhouses such as the town hall and the prefecture building, which once hosted the Papal Legation. This square has remained a central gathering point for the city's residents and continues to exude a lively atmosphere throughout the day, thanks in part to its open-air cafés. Piazza del Popolo is a critical crossroads, as it serves as the meeting point for numerous central streets.

The square's origins can be traced back to the latter part of the 13th century, a period during which the Da Polenta family held sway over the city. The current dimensions of the square took shape in the years 1470-80 when Ravenna came under Venetian rule.

The square, originally known as Piazza del Comune and later as Piazza Maggiore in documents from the Modern Age, was named after Vittorio Emanuele II following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. Over the course of the past six centuries, the square has witnessed the addition of various structures intended to serve the needs of political power. The municipal building, currently known as Palazzo Merlato, was entirely reconstructed in 1681 and expanded from 1761 onwards. It now serves as the administrative seat of the municipal government.

In 1696, Palazzo Apostolico, enlarged on the orders of Cardinal Legate Francesco Barberini, also underwent comprehensive renovations and presently houses the Prefecture.

Other noteworthy civic structures in the square include the former headquarters of the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, designed by architect Camillo Morigia and connected to the prefecture by a grand arch. There is also Palazzo dei Rasponi del Sale, which today accommodates a banking institution.

Palazzo della Torre dell’Orologio, built on the ruins of the religious complex of the churches of San Marco and San Sebastiano, is another striking edifice in the square. Over the years, it has served various purposes, from the central customs office in 1798 to the city's first cinema in 1907, and finally, the first Casa del Fascio in Ravenna from 1928 to 1939.