Piazzas: Center of Culture and Life in Italy

Italy is filled with town squares called piazzas. These piazzas are the center of each area; they are the epicenter of all culture and social. Great restaurants and bars are located around the edges of Piazzas. Events often taking place in these piazzas range from socializing on the edge of a beautiful fountain, such as Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Novona, to people haggling at small markets and clothing stands. Italian culture can be witnessed in its truest form by spending time in one of Italy’s many piazzas.

The piazzas are where Italian’s go for entertainment; this is a long-standing tradition in Italy. For example, Piazza Novona was once purposely flooded in the 19^th century so water sport competitions could be held there. Recently when visiting Piazza Novona on a Friday, a live concert was being held. Piazza Novona was filled with people enjoying the beautiful day and sound of the band. The mayor of Novona was even in attendance to give a short speech. The Piazza is where all the neighboring people spend their recreation time so naturally the piazza on a sunny day in November was the perfect place for a politician to connect with the people.

The bigger piazzas are often littered with artists. While walking through a piazza, one can admire the paintings and drawings of artists. They gather in these piazzas in hopes of selling their work since they know all tourists will come to the piazza since it is the nest place for entertainment. Piazzas located in main areas like Venice and Novona are crowded to the extent that it is hard to fully enjoy the piazza. Not because of the great number of people but because where people are where one has to be extremely cautious. Everyone in Italy knows the piazza is the best place to find ignorant tourists and gypsies and scams are in constant motion. Danger is not an issue if one is aware, but it takes away from truly being free and calm. Due to this I prefer going to smaller piazzas like the one located in Castel Gandolfo. Here I can experience drinking a glass of wine outside or grab a gelato. I can walk and admire local kids playing soccer or stop and shop for scarves and souvenirs.

Piazzas have great history behind them. They are repetitively coming up in are readings. While reading about Margaret Fuller, who visited Italy in the 19^th century, a reference to soldiers and protests in the Piazza del Popolo were made. The fact that all the people gathered to the piazza shows insight into the differences of our culture in the past and present to that of the Italians. Americans turn on the radio or television to hear news, but in Italy the piazza is the best place to go find out what is going on and to be heard. The people of Italy just walk to the nearest piazza when they want to find something out. I strongly recommend visiting a piazza if experiencing genuine culture of Italy is desired.