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 in the middle of a traditional town or city. People gather there for community events. Related ideas are the civic center, the market square and the village green.

Most squares have hard ground, good for markets, concerts, and events. They are not always perfect geometric square shapes.

Town squares are usually in the center of a place, with small shops around them like bakeries, meat markets, cheese stores, and clothing stores. In the middle, there is often a well, monument, statue or something special. Squares with fountains may be called fountain squares.

The idea of a town square is important in many cultures. Some famous town squares, like the Euromaidan or Red Square, are known for big moments in 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 these spaces might 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 are still 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 main town square in many modern cities. These squares were built when city designs were updated and often include important government buildings, museums, and other public places.

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

Egypt

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

Germany

The German word for a square is Platz, meaning "Place". These squares have been important parts 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

In Indonesia, a big open square in villages, towns, and cities is called an alun-alun. This name comes from the Javanese language and often means the two large open spaces in kraton areas. These squares are usually near a mosque or a palace. People gather there for public events, celebrations, and fun activities that are not connected to the palace.

Iran

In traditional Persian architecture, town squares are called maydan or meydan. These squares are very important in city planning. They 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. 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.

Famous piazzas include the Piazza San Marco in Venice and the Piazza del Popolo in Rome. 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 people used them 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 usually have the town hall in them, so they are important for the town's government.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, another type of square appeared called the royal square. These were not used for markets. They were built in front of big palaces or public buildings to show how important they were. 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 in the middle of towns. Some of these squares are called Central Square, like Central Square in Tolyatti. The most famous one is Red Square. It is very large and known around the world. Even though it is called “Red” Square, the name comes from an old word meaning “beautiful,” not just “red.” Many places in the area have squares 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 is in front of Gwanghwamun Gate.

In 2009, work was done to restore Gwanghwamun Gate, and the area in front of it became a public plaza. By August 2022, the square was updated with new waterways, resting spots, and a hall to show important old items 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 and government offices. 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. 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, 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" is used for a busy area where people shop and meet. These areas are often where three or more streets come together and might have had open space that was changed to help traffic.

The placita (meaning "little plaza") is common in the Southwestern United States. These small plazas mix Hispano and Pueblo styles and are important in 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:

• 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 and budget limits. Sociologist William H. Whyte studied plazas in New York City and helped change how they are designed. Plazas can give neighborhoods open space and make areas more attractive and safer for walking. Most plazas are made with help from local groups and city leaders.

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