Town square

Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see Plaza (disambiguation), Town square (disambiguation), City square (disambiguation), Public square (disambiguation) and Piazza (disambiguation).

A town square (or public square, urban square, city square or simply square), also called a plaza or piazza, is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town or city, and which is used for community gatherings. Related concepts are the civic center, the market square and the village green.

Most squares are hardscapes suitable for open markets, concerts, political rallies, and other events that require firm ground. They are not necessarily a true geometric square.

Being centrally located, town squares are usually surrounded by small shops such as bakeries, meat markets, cheese stores, and clothing stores. At their center is often a well, monument, statue or other feature. Those with fountains are sometimes called fountain squares.

The term "town square" (especially via the term "public square") is synonymous with the politics of many cultures, and the names of a certain town squares, such as the Euromaidan or Red Square, have become symbolic of specific political events throughout history.

Australia

Many cities in Australia’s eastern states, like Melbourne and Sydney, did not have central town squares. This was because leaders at the time worried that such spaces might encourage people to come together and cause trouble.

However, the city centre of Adelaide and nearby North Adelaide in South Australia were planned differently. In 1837, Colonel William Light designed the city with streets in a grid plan. The centre included Victoria Square and four other public squares, and these areas remain mostly green spaces today. In 2025, the City of Sydney decided to build a new public square near the Town Hall.

China

In China, People's Square is a common name for the central town square in many modern cities. These squares were created during recent updates to city designs and often hold important government buildings, museums, and other public places.

One famous square is Tiananmen Square, which has been important in Chinese history for several big events, including celebrations for national holidays.

Egypt

The word for a square in Egyptian Arabic is Midan, which also means "Place". This term is often used for central squares in Egypt. One of the most famous squares is Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. It was established in 1867.

Germany

The German word for a square is Platz, meaning "Place". These squares have been important centers of town and city life since the Middle Ages. Squares found in front of a Palace or Castle (German: Schloss) are often called Schlossplatz. Famous examples include Alexanderplatz, Pariser Platz, and Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Heldenplatz in Vienna, and the Königsplatz in Munich.

Indonesia

A large open square found in villages, towns, and cities in Indonesia is called an alun-alun. This name comes from the Javanese language and usually refers to the two big open spaces in kraton areas. These squares are often next to a mosque or a palace. People use them for public events, celebrations, and fun activities that are not related to the palace.

Iran

In traditional Persian architecture, town squares are called maydan or meydan. These squares are very important in city planning and are often next to markets, big mosques, and other public buildings. Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan and Azadi Square in Tehran are examples of both classic and modern squares. Some countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia also use the word "maidan." In Ukraine, this word became well-known around the world during the Euromaidan.

Italy

A piazza is a city square found in Italy, Malta, along the Dalmatian coast, and nearby areas. Inspired by ancient Roman forums, these squares are important parts of most towns and cities. You can often find shops, businesses, metro stations, and bus stops around a piazza. Some piazzas also have important buildings like Roman Catholic churches, such as the Piazza del Duomo in Milan, or government buildings like the Piazza del Quirinale next to the Quirinal Palace in Rome.

Famous piazzas include the Piazza San Marco in Venice and the Piazza del Popolo in Rome. These squares have been important in Italy's history, especially during the medieval and Renaissance periods. For example, the Piazza della Signoria in Florence is linked to big moments in the city's past. Naples’s main square is called the Piazza del Plebiscito.

The word piazza is similar to words in other languages like the Spanish plaza, French place, Portuguese praça, and German Platz. It’s different from other uses of the word, like a covered area at a train station or a porch on a house.

Netherlands and Belgium

In the Low Countries, squares are often called "markets" because they were used for trading. Many towns and cities in Belgium and the southern part of the Netherlands have a central square called Grote Markt in Dutch or Grand-Place in French. For example, the Grand-Place in Brussels and the Grote Markt in Antwerp. These squares are usually where the town hall is located, making them the political center of the town.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, another type of square appeared called the royal square. These were not used for markets but were built in front of large palaces or public buildings to show off their importance. They were also used for military parades and ceremonies. Examples include the Place Royale in Brussels and the Koningsplein in Amsterdam. These palace squares are often more symmetrical than the older market squares.

Russia

In Russia, central squares are open spaces found right in the middle of towns. Some of these squares don’t have special names and are simply called Central Square, like Central Square in Tolyatti. The most famous one is Red Square, which is very large and became well-known around the world. Even though it’s called “Red” Square, this name comes from an old word meaning “beautiful,” not just “red.” Many places in the area have squares or areas named “Red Square” for this reason.

South Korea

Gwanghwamun Plaza, also called Gwanghwamun Square, is a public open space on Sejongno in Seoul, South Korea. It sits in front of Gwanghwamun Gate.

In 2009, work was done to restore Gwanghwamun Gate, turning the area in front of it into a public plaza. By August 2022, the square was updated with new waterways, resting spots, and a hall to show important old items that were found during digging.

Spanish-speaking countries

"Plaza mayor (urban design)" and "Plaza de Armas (urban design)" redirect here. For other uses, see Plaza Mayor (disambiguation) and Plaza de Armas (disambiguation).

In many Spanish-speaking places, a public square is called a plaza. This word comes from Latin and is related to words in other languages like Italian and French. You can find plazas in Spain, Latin America, and even the Philippines.

Big plazas, often called Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas, were important places in old cities. They were close to important buildings like cathedrals, government offices, and courts. Sometimes these squares were big enough for military parades. Smaller squares are called plazuela or plazoleta.

Cities built by Spanish explorers often had a central plaza as part of their layout. This plaza was surrounded by important buildings and could be used for safety if the city was attacked. Plazas are still important community spaces today, much like markets. Some shopping centers also use the word "plaza" in their names. A plaza de toros is a bullring. Shopping centers may use "plaza" in their names.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, especially in London and Edinburgh, the word "square" can mean more than just a public open space. It also refers to special areas surrounded by houses with private gardens in the middle. These garden squares, often called garden squares, were mostly built during the 1700s and 1800s. Sometimes, these gardens are now open for everyone to enjoy. You can find more information in the Squares in London category. Many more public squares were added in towns and cities across the UK after the damage from the Blitz. Some squares are very small and look like quiet courtyards, particularly in the City of London.

United States

In some cities in the United States, especially in New England, the word "square" (and its Spanish equivalent, plaza) is used for a busy commercial area (like Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts). These areas are usually found where three or more streets meet and may have had some open space that has now been changed to make traffic safer.

The placita (Spanish for "little plaza") is common in the Southwestern United States. These small plazas mix Hispano and Pueblo styles and are important parts of cities and towns in New Mexico, such as Santa Fe Plaza, Old Town Albuquerque, Acoma Pueblo's plaza, Taos Downtown Historic District, Mesilla Plaza, Mora, and Las Vegas Plaza.

In U.S. English, the word "plaza" can mean several things:

• a town square, like in Spanish-speaking places
• any open area near buildings with walkways, trees, places to sit, and sometimes shops
• a shopping center of any size
• a toll plaza, where cars stop to pay tolls
• an area next to a highway with services like restaurants, gas stations, and restrooms

Modern city designs often include plazas because of rules, budget limits, and other factors. Sociologist William H. Whyte studied plazas in New York City and helped change how plazas are designed. Plazas can provide open space for neighborhoods with fewer resources and improve the look of an area, making it more attractive and safer for people walking. Most plazas are made with help from local groups and city leaders who need approval from the city.

Across North America, words like place, square, or plaza are often used in the names of shopping centers and hotels.