City squares are the soul of a city. Every big city has some sort of square. They serve an important purpose as a social and commercial meeting place. City squares are usually extremely busy place surrounded by shops, restaurants, and a city hall.
They are often marked by a fountain, monument, or a statue at their center. But besides these general aspects, city squares have their own unique historical background and importance. Today, we enlist some of the most famous city squares as well as the largest public squares around the world.
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Famous City Squares around the World
10. Grand Place
The central city squares of Brussels in Belgium, The Grand Place (or Grote Markt) probably the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in the world. It is surrounded by magnificent guildhalls, Breadhouse and the city’s Town Hall.
An enormous “flower carpet” is set up in the Grand Place for a few days in every two years in August. In 2010, the square is voted as the most beautiful square in Europe and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Major attractions:
- Mannekin Pis
- Saint-Michel Cathedral
- Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts
- Coudenberg Palace Archaeological Site
- Notre-Dame du Sablon
9. Old Town Square
Situated between Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge, Old town square is a historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague. The Square is often bursting with tourists and locals in the summer. It features a number of architectural styles including the best Gothic Cathedrals in Europe, Týn Cathedral and baroque Saint Nicholas Church.
The city square is considered as an oasis for travelers wearied by Prague’s narrow streets. The tower at the Old Town Hall offers a panoramic view of the Old Town. A market like medieval style has been placed in Christmas and Easter, are the best things in Prague.
Major attractions:
- Prague Astronomical Clock
- The Old Town Hall
- Church of Mother of God before Týn
- St. Nicholas Church
- The House at the Minute
8. Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco generally known as Piazza, is the principal square of Venice. Napoleon once called the Piazza San Marco “The drawing room of Europe”. The great church of St Mark is on the eastern end of the square.
Here human voices prevail over the sounds of motorized traffic. Piazza San Marco has been flourished step by step for a long time, before the medieval, medieval, renaissance and later on. It is the lowest point in Venice. So during a storm or heavy rain, it is the first place to flood.
Major attractions:
- Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower)
- Bridge of Sighs
- Piazzetta and Libreria Sansoviniana
- Giardinetti Reale
- St. Mark’s Basilica
7. Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest city squares in the world. Surrounded by Soviet-style monuments, this is one of the top tourist attractions in Beijing. Tiananmen Square is culturally important and among the most popular places in China. In fact, it was the center of many historic events of the country.
It is a commonplace to come when visitors first visit Beijing, the capital of China for the first time. Remains an astounding place and a spot to linger and see visitors from all over China, many visiting their capital for the first time. The square was built in 1651 and now four times larger than its original size. It is named after Tiananmen gate.
Major attractions:
- Monument to the People’s Heroes
- Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao
- National Museum of China
- Tiananmen Tower
- Great Hall of the People
6. Main Market Square
Main Market Square is popular sightseeing in Krakow, Poland. It is one of the largest medieval town square in Europe, older than 700 years. Historic buildings, palaces, townhouses, and churches are all around the city square.
A Cloth Hall, built in 1555 in the Renaissance style dominates the center of the square. It is topped by a wonderful attic. Interestingly Main Market Square has no town hall.
Major attractions:
- Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)
- St. Mary’s Basilica
- Town Hall Tower
- Church of St. Adalbert
5. Times Square
Times Square, the best of New York is considered the most important commercial city square in the world. It is situated at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and extending from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. The square is filled with video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights, a well-known picture of the city’s rush hour.
One can find the hastiness thrilling or frightening depending on their perspective. It is a major center of the world entertainment industry. If you ever face the question, what is the most visited tourist attraction in the world? This is it. Almost 333000 people pass through the square every day. But the most thrilling experience could be gained from its night view.
Major attractions:
- Madame Tussauds
- Broadway Show
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Bryant Park
- Gulliver’s Gate Miniature Museum
4. Saint Peter’s Square
Situated directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Saint Peter’s Square is among the main attractions in Rome. It is a massive plaza. An Egyptian Obelisk is at the center of the square, constructed in 1586. After a century later the square was built including colossal Tuscan colonnades, four columns deep.
Under the direction of Pope Sixtus V, It was moved from the circus to its current site in 1586. The gilt ball on top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar, the most famous Roman Empire. But after removing the ancient metal ball, only dust was found inside the Roman Empire Monuments.
Major attractions:
- Sistine Chapel
- Vatican Palace Highlights
- Vatican Necropolis
- Etruscan Museum
- Vatican Library
3. Piazza del Campo
The Piazza del Campo is one of the largest public squares in the world and is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. It is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany. You shouldn’t really miss this while visiting the most popular tourist attractions in Italy.
The entire complex which comprises the Palazzo Pubblico and its famous tower, as well as various palazzi signorili, belongs to the wealthiest of Siena families surround the shell-shaped piazza.
Twice in every year, a horse race is held which involves the circling the Piazza del Campo. A thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and it usually lasts no more than 90 seconds.
Major attractions:
- Palazzo Pubblico
- Torre del Mangia
- Fonte Gaia
- Cappella di Piazza
2. Djemaa el Fna
Being one of the top Morocco tourist attractions, Djemaa El-Fna square is located at the heart of the medina. This square is filled with snake charmers and people with monkeys, and some of the more commonly popular stalls by day.
The entertainment changes as the day progress. In the afternoon and evening, the snake charmers are replaced with storytellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines. And when the night comes the entire square fills with numerous food stalls. This is one of the very few places on earth where you can actually find a very old medina still standing.
Major attractions:
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Medersa Ben Youssef
- Marrakesh Museum
- Majorelle Gardens
- Manara Gardens
1. Red Square
The Red Square, probably the most famous city square in history, is located in the center of Moscow. In fact, It is one of the best places to visit in Russia. Famous Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lenin’s Mausoleum and also Kremlin’s long brick famous walls in history are there in the city square.
One can think the red name is linked with communism but the name just derived from the red color of the brick. The Red Square has a great historical significance and the center of many public ceremonies and proclamations.
Major attractions:
- State Hall Museum
- Kazan Cathedral
- Lenin Mausoleum
- Kremlin Wall
- Iberian Gate