Livorno in particular uses the squares as meeting places, so it was important to the that the squares were beautiful as well as functional. The Piazza della Repubblica was built with the intention to modernize the old streets into something more useful for the 18th century transport (realized between 1838-45).

Rising above the Fosso Reale which floats below the construction, the square extends 220 meters in length – from above you might never even realize you are actually on a bridge or as it is sometimes called by the locals the “Voltone”. It was also known as Piazza of the Grand Duchy because of the two prestigious statues on either end: Ferdinando III and Leopoldo II – both instrumental in the construction and protection of Livorno.