Piazza Grande, the beating heart of the town of Gubbio, is one of the most successful examples of medieval town planning, being one of the largest terrace-squares ever built.
The ambitious project was decided upon in 1321 by city magistrates in order to build two new buildings (Dei Consoli and del Podestà) and a central piazza that constituted the new civic centre to replace the previous municipal residence. Works began in 1332, led by the architect Angelo da Orvieto, but they had to be interrupted with the advent of the Lordship of the Gabrielli family for several decades, from 1350 to 1384. Only at the end of the following century, in 1482, was building work completed. In 1508 a long loggia was built on the valley side, which was demolished in 1839. The huge square extends to embrace all four districts of the city: S. Andrea, S. Giuliano, S. Martino, S. Pietro, thereby fulfilling the functional aims for which it had been built. However, of the two palazzi that should have completed the project, only Palazzo dei Consoli was finished while Palazzo del Podestà remained unfinished. The north-eastern side of the square was finally framed by the neoclassical Palazzo Ranghiasci.
Today, with its imposing architectural structure, elegant arcades and unique design, Piazza Grande, is the impressive and inimitable arena in which Gubbio’s numerous folk traditions are re-enacted.