The central squares of Europe are important for both locals and tourists choosing places for walks and memorable photos. They serve as a place for gathering friends, political and social rallies and organizing flash mobs. Of course, big business could not pass by such a crowd of people, therefore, the areas are also used for marketing purposes.
Europe is rich in history, traditions, incomparable architecture, as well as beautiful squares. Almost every European city has famous squares with which certain events are associated. We will talk about some European squares, which, in our opinion, are the most beautiful on the Old Continent.
The most beautiful squares in Europe:
1
St. Peter's Square (Rome)
Piazza San Pietro was designed by Giovanni Bernini in the middle of the XVI century. It is adjacent to the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, being an amazing proof of the genius of human thought. In the center of the square, you can see the Egyptian obelisk, which was installed a little less than 100 years before the square was broken (1586).
The obelisk was brought from Egypt back in antiquity by Emperor Caligula. For a long time, local residents believed that the metal ball crowning the obelisk was the receptacle of the ashes of Guy Julius Caesar. The place is visited daily by thousands of tourists, but the largest congestion is waiting for the election of the new Pope.
2
Plaza Mayor (Madrid)
Translated from Spanish, Plaza Mayor means “Main Square”, which is indeed so, because it is one of the main squares in the capital of Spain (only Puerta del Sol is able to challenge the leadership). The place acquired a modern under the reign of Philip III, although it existed before him.
According to Lope de Vega Plaza Mayor - this is the "navel of Spain." Previously, traders occupied almost the entire area, and as Madrid expanded, it “migrated” from the outskirts to the city center, remaining in one place. Plaza has changed many names, the first of which is Plaza del Arrabal. Today it is a gathering place for tourists and locals, and the main attraction of Madrid.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru you can find a list of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
3
Trafalgar Square (London)
Trafalgar Square is located in the capital of Great Britain. This is one of the busiest places in the open air. On the square almost every day, various events and celebrations are held, including St. Patrick's Day, Chinese New Year, Pride (an LGBT community event) and many rallies and demonstrations.
In the northern part of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery, built in 1838. Visitors to the gallery can see more than 2 thousand paintings by Western European artists from the Middle Ages to the middle of the 20th century. It is noteworthy that the attraction is named after the victory of the British in the Battle of Trafalgar over the combined Franco-Spanish forces.
Interestingly, until the beginning of the XXI century, the square was famous for the accumulation of a huge number of pigeons, which were fed by tourists. After 2000, the situation changed, at first the city authorities banned the sale of seeds to street vendors, and another seven years later there was a ban on feeding pigeons.
Among the reasons for the ban are the losses incurred by the city, removing bird droppings from historic buildings, and the health hazard of people at risk of contracting from pigeons that are carriers of various diseases.
4
Grand Place (Brussels)
The central square of the Belgian capital has two names, the French-speaking population calls it the Grand Place, the Dutch part of the population refers to the Grote Markt square. It includes three architectural styles at once: Gothic, Baroque and Louis XIV style. This makes the Grand Place unlike any other European square, adding color and color to it.
It is surrounded by the Brussels Town Hall and more than 40 other buildings built in the period from the XIV to the XVII century. Among them, a special place is occupied by the Bread House or the King’s House, a unique building of the 13th century, which in its history was a bread warehouse, prison, tax and even residential building for the Belgian duke.
Also at the Grand Place every two years, "spread" a floral carpet. People from all over the world come to Brussels to look at a carpet with a unique pattern of 1.8 thousand square meters, the material of which is fresh flowers.
5
Old Town Square (Prague)
The name comes from the area (Stare Mesto) in which it is located. This is one of the two main squares of Prague, along with Wenceslas Square, which is a 5-minute walk away.
Around the Old Town Square there are many historical buildings, including the city hall, Tyn Church, Krocinov Kashn fountain and St. Nicholas. Like most European medieval squares, Old Town Square was originally used as a city market.
At the beginning of the XX century, a new attraction appeared here - a monument to the national hero of the Czech Republic, Jan Hus, near which locals and tourists gather. And also here is the Kinsky Palace, where the National Gallery of Prague exhibits part of its collection.
6
Plaza Mayor (Salamanca)
The main square of Salamanca, a city in western Spain, is built in the style of radical baroque. This is one of the most beautiful places not only in Spain, but throughout Western Europe.
In the northern part there is a municipality, also decorated in the Baroque style with five granite arches and a spire decorated with allegorical figures. Interestingly, earlier in front of the city council building a bullfight was held. The buildings around the Plaza Mayor are decorated with arcades, on which are portraits of all the kings of Spain and the dictator Franco, who ruled in the middle of the 20th century.
7
Marienplatz (Munich)
Munich's main square is called Marienplatz. Arriving at Marienplatz and standing opposite the Old Town Hall, you will find yourself in the heart of this southern German city. In the Middle Ages there was a lively market, various festivals and fairs were held, as well as traveling circus artists and performers.
Today, the square is a meeting place for both the local population and tourists. At Marienplatz you will find not only historical buildings (New and Old Town Halls, Frauenkirche Cathedral), but also many modern restaurants and cafes where you can spend time with friends, admiring the amazing architecture.
8
Piazza del Campo (Siena)
Piazza del Campo is the main meeting place for the Italian city of Siena and, in combination, one of the largest medieval squares in the world! It was formed in the middle of the XII century, becoming an important social center of the city. Among the attractions of the Piazza del Campo, it is worth noting the Fountain of Joy, designed and built at the beginning of the 14th century, the Tore delManja tower and the administrative center of Siena Palazzo Pubblico.
And also the shell-shaped area with a single exit is known for Palio. Horse races are held twice a year, the perimeter of the Piazza del Campo is covered with sand, which serves as a kind of track for horses. This event attracts thousands of tourists from all over Europe who want to look at thoroughbred stallions, and then participate in a colorful festival.
9
Main Market (Krakow)
The old town in Krakow is best known for its square called Rynek Glowny. From the name it is easy to understand that the market was originally located here, which in some form has survived to the present day. Krakow Main Market is the largest market square in Europe.
Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful on the planet and boasts a huge number of attractions, “diluted” with cozy restaurants, cafes and clubs. Pastel yellow and peach buildings surrounding the square take its visitors to the fairy world.
Here you will find the 13th-century town hall, built in the Gothic style, the cloth rows of the mid-16th century, built in the Renaissance style, as well as luxurious Catholic churches. Every year, various concerts and festivals are held on the square, including Krakow Christmas nurseries, a religious performance with a scene of worship of shepherds to the newborn Jesus Christ.
10
St. Mark's Square (Venice)
For nearly a millennium, Piazza San Marco has been the venue for many important religious and political events, as well as the center of public life in the beautiful Italian city of Venice.
Three main venues of Venice are located on the square: St. Mark's Cathedral, the St. Mark's Clock Tower, built in the Early Renaissance, as well as the Doge's Palace, a Gothic-style building that has hosted the city government for centuries. It is noteworthy that, as in the case of Trafalgar Square, the Venice administration forbade feeding pigeons to Piazza San Marco because of the threat of the spread of bird flu.
Do not miss the interesting article on our site most-beauty.ru about cities on the water: TOP-7 analogues of Venice around the world.
11
Plaza of Spain (Seville)
Plaza de Espana was built in 1928. Its opening was timed to the opening of the Ibero-American exhibition, which took place a year later. The combination of Renaissance and Neo-Moorish styles makes Plaza de España an architectural object unlike anything else.
The most impressive thing is the polychrome ceramic tile, which paved the area, as well as the large fountain in the center. In the arcades of the surrounding buildings you can read information about the various regions of Spain. Today, the Plaza of Spain is visited not only by ordinary tourists, but also by fans of the Star Wars movie saga, since it was here that the episode from “Attack of the Clones” was filmed.
12
Piazza Navona (Rome)
Another Roman square, presented in our rating at most-beauty. Although, initially Piazza Navona was built as a stadium for sports of the ancient world (it was in the 1st century), including chariot races and other entertainments. Today it is a great place for tourist meetings and romantic walks. Around the picturesque buildings in the Baroque style, as well as numerous restaurants and cafes.
In the center of Piazza Navona you can see the stunning beauty of the fountain of four rivers, built by Bernini in the middle of the XVII century. According to studies, this fountain is one of the most photographed objects in the Italian capital. And also there are two other fountains (the Moors fountain and the Neptune fountain), which are not so magnificent, but also shock with their beauty.
The Church of Sant Agnese in Agone is distinguished by its magnificent Baroque decoration, which has become a symbol of Italian architecture from the time of Popes Innocent X.
In the photo: Fountain of the four rivers.
Did you know that 3-4 centuries ago the area was flooded annually for a month? This was not done for the sake of fun, but to save people and buildings from the abnormal summer heat. And the market has not spared this area. Previously, it traded fruits and vegetables, now the market opens only at Christmas. During this period, all visitors to the fair can buy Christmas gifts and toys.
13
Place de la Concorde (Paris)
Talking about the most beautiful European squares and bypassing the Place de la Concorde in Paris is a crime! It is located in the eastern part of the Champs Elysees and is the largest in France.
The square was defeated in 1754 by the royal architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel and was named after Louis XV, however, after the overthrow of the monarchy, it was decided to rename it to Revolution Square. It got its current name Place de la Concorde in 1795. Here you can see many attractions, for example, Luxor Obelisk, donated by Mehmet Ali.
Interestingly, the well-known gilded spire was installed on the obelisk only at the end of the 20th century. And also the square is decorated with two monumental fountains.
Despite its beauty, Place de la Concorde is known throughout the world for the bloody events that took place during the French Revolution. A huge guillotine was installed on the site of the destroyed statue of the king, carrying out the execution of convicts almost daily.
So, Marie Antoinette and Louis XV were executed on it, and later the ideological leaders of the revolution themselves Maximilian Robespierre and Georges Jacques Danton.
14
Market Square (Wroclaw)
The Poles are not very original with the names, and this square is similar to the name with Krakow. It also appeared in the Middle Ages and is considered one of the largest in Europe. Today there are many souvenir shops, bars, restaurants and cozy coffee houses.
In the center of the Market Square stands the Town Hall, the city administration and other institutions responsible for the life of Wroclaw. In addition, tourists are attracted by interesting architectural monuments, such as the Church of St. Elizabeth, as well as houses with the original names “Golden Dog” and “Golden Sun”.
15
George Square (Glasgow)
George Square is the main square and heart of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It was built in 1781. Locals are proud of it, because unlike Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland), Glasgow has almost no architectural monuments built before the 19th century. It is these buildings that surround George Square, in one of which (City Chambers) is the headquarters of the city administration.
Around and on the square itself there are a large number of monuments and statues, attracting with their gloomy grandeur, which has become the hallmark of the northern part of Great Britain.
Summarize
These were just a few of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The editors of most-beauty.ru asks you to write in the comments what is the most beautiful square in Europe for you? And what places in Europe would you add to our list.