Piazza Grande

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, but for everyone 'Piazza Grande', was the centre of town life since the early 20th century.

Here, on 16 May 1921, Pietro Nieri (caulker) and Enrico Paolini (sailor), two 'workers of the sea', were killed by the fascists. Since the post-war period, the square has been named after them; and in 1971, a plaque was placed on the Town Council to remember them.

Here, on 3 July 1927, Pnf (National Fascist Party) Secretary Augusto Turati inaugurated the Casa del Fascio (later moved to Via Mazzini in 1940).

A large popular demonstration for the fall of fascism was held here on 26 July 1943, during which the communist Leonardo di Giorgio, later a member of the local Cln, spoke. The Carabinieri stepped in to break it up and the anti-fascists were locked up in the Matilde tower.

Here on 8 September, the Germans occupied the old town hall, located in the so-called Regio Casino, which was later destroyed by bombing on 12 May 1944 (like the nearby Pacini Theatre).

The new town hall was built here after the war.

Unfortunately, the subsequent transformation of the square into a car park depreciated its historical value.