The most beautiful squares in Tuscany

In Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, there is certainly no shortage of beautiful, world-famous squares, but standing out among them all is Piazza del Duomo.
Religious center of the city since ancient times, it is overlooked by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with the Dome by Brunelleschi, the Bell Tower by Giotto and the Baptistery of St. John.
Dotted with bars and restaurants, it is one of the city's most important gathering places.

A short distance away is the picturesque Piazza della Signoria, where Palazzo Vecchio stands imposingly, the heart of the political life of the Tuscan capital city since the 14th century.
In Piazza della Signoria, there are some unique masterpieces, including the Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati and the beautiful Loggia dei Lanzi which hosts sculptures, such as the Rap of the Sabine Women by Giambologna and the Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini.

Visitors cannot absolutely miss Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renamed so by poet Gabriele D'Annunzio because of the extraordinary co-presence of four grand works: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistery of Saint John, the Monumental Cemetery and the famous leaning Tower. 

Very distinctive and well-known, Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in Lucca amazes with its unique elliptical shape that derives from the ancient Roman amphitheater on which it was built.
The square is accessed through four gates that frame it and make it one of the most photographed places in the city.

For sea lovers, there is nothing better than watching the sunset from the Mascagni Terrace in Livorno, one of the city's most picturesque spots.
This elegant and large square overlooking the sea has a distinctive checkerboard pavement formed by more than 34 thousand black and white tiles, punctuated by four thousand columns.

Among the lesser-known squares is the beautiful Piazza Dante in Grosseto, also known as the Piazza delle Catene. Built between the 13th and the 14th century, it is overlooked by the majestic Palazzo Aldobrandeschi and the Cathedral dedicated to St. Lorenzo. 

The distinctive trapezoidal shape makes Piazza Grande in Arezzo one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany.
Made famous by Roberto Benigni's film "Life is Beautiful", it is dominated by Palazzo delle Logge, built by Giorgio Vasari at the end of the 1500s. 
During the first week-end of each month it is the setting for the traditional Antiques Fair, while twice a year it hosts the re-enactment of the Saracen Joust. 

Piazza Grande in Montepulciano is a true masterpiece of the Renaissance, the heart of the political and religious power.
It is home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Municipal Palace with its Gothic-style facade and the noble palaces of the city.
Let’s not forget that this square was chosen as the set of the movie "New Moon" from the popular Twilight series.

The heart of Prato's historic center, Piazza del Duomo stands where the first nucleus of the city was built back in the Middle Ages. The square was enlarged to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims who flocked to visit the Cathedral and participate in the exposition of the Sacred Girdle, a relic that belonged to the Virgin Mary.

Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia is dominated by the city's main religious and public buildings. Towering above them all is the bell tower, which offers a splendid view from above its 67 meters.
Next to it is the Cathedral of San Zeno in Pisan Gothic style with the striking Baptistery of Saint John built in the mid-thirteenth century on the ruins of an older church. 
The square is also overlooked by the Municipal Palace, which now houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art.

One of the symbols of the city of Piombino, Piazza Bovio is a natural terrace overlooking the sea and offers a magnificent view of Elba Island. A walk at sunset time is not to be missed.

The most important historic square of Carrara was originally an uninhabited area where the ancient Platea Porcorum, or cattle market, once took place.
Thanks to Prince Alberico I Cybo Malaspina, in 1557 the urban layout of the entire city changed drastically, and this very square became the symbolic and political barycenter of the Cathedral area.
In the center of the space is the monument to Maria Beatrice d'Este, complemented by a fountain with a basin and sphinx.
Carrara's most important historic buildings overlook the square.

A star-shaped medieval square that tells the story of Massa Marittima through the buildings that overlook it and the traditional historical re-enactment that, right here, comes to life twice a year.
The square is home to important buildings, such as the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzo del Comune and the Palazzo Malfatti as well as numerous places to relax while admiring this truly evocative space.