Italy is famous for many things—art, architecture, fashion, food and wine; even some of its empty spaces, in the form of piazzas, are known worldwide, with places like Piazza San Marco in Venice and Piazza di Spagna in Rome drawing millions of visitors each year.

Having evolved from Greek-era agoras and Roman forums, piazzas, over the centuries, became integral to commerce and civic and religious life, and they continue to serve as vital gathering spots to this day. While each piazza is unique and frequently flanked by significant architectural works, they often have similar names, so it’s not unusual to find a Piazza del Duomo or Piazza della Republica from one town to the next.