"Piazza della Repubblica" is located in the heart of the historic centre of Florence, not far from Piazza della Signoria, Pontevecchio and the Duomo. In Roman times there was the Forum, at the intersection of the Cardo (now Via Roma - Via degli Speziali) and the Decumanus (now Via Strozzi - Via degli Speziali).
In medieval times its area was filled by a market, many buildings and tower-houses. It also became the seat of the ghetto, when the Grand Duke Cosimo dei Medici decided to confine the Jews of the city here.
When Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy (1865-1871) and the city walls were demolished and replaced by wide avenues (modeled on the avenues built by Huysman in Paris), Piazza della Repubblica also underwent a radical transformation: houses, noble palaces, tower-houses, the seats of corporate Arts (Guilds), craft shops, arcades, churches ... were demolished and replaced on all four sides by imposing buildings that housed noble palaces, hotels, elegant cafes and restaurants. Thus the square assumed its present appearance.