Square of the Martyrs (Piazza dei Martiri)

The Piazza di Carpi is one of the city’s greatest assets, as well as a perfect example of a Renaissance square modelled on the Roman forums described by Vitruvius: opening onto the Palazzo dei Pio, it is overlooked by the Renaissance Cathedral. The portico, over 200 metres long, housed (and still houses) shops and businesses; the uniform Renaissance houses were originally completely decorated with frescoes. It was erected before 1472, as documented by its presence in the contemporary urban cadastre, as a backdrop to the vast space that was about to become the centre of the city. In 1505, it was completed, at the instigation of Alberto Pio, with the construction of seven arches towards the north and a little later with the construction towards the south of the imposing Portico del Grano, perhaps designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi.