This vast square is one of the main squares of the city. It was established in 1287 and started serving as a ground for festivals, fairs, and contests. Even to this day, this place is often visited because of the frequent festivals.
Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici started using the square for the annual chariot race (Palio dei Cocchi) in 1563. The two marble obelisks that you see today were erected in 1608 on the site of the pyramidal wooden structures that used to mark the start and the finish of the race.
It is a perfect place to sit down and relax. There are benches everywhere around the area, and there is also a market that sells fresh products from farmers in the piazza. Feel free to grab a bottle of wine or get a drink from the market and walk around the square, taking in its atmosphere.
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Santa_Maria_Novella
Address 50123 Florence, Italy
Coordinates 43°46'24.769" N 11°14'57.944" E
