Piazza Garibaldi, previously known as Piazza Grande or platea communis, represents the historic and administrative heart of the city of Parma. Its architectural and functional evolution reflects the political and social transformations of the city through the centuries.
Between the 12th and 13th centuries, Parma underwent a phase of significant urban development that saw Piazza del Comune emerge as the focal point of the city's political and economic life. In this period, civic life was marked by the sound of the communal bell, known as the "Battifolle", positioned at the centre of the square as a symbol of municipal authority and autonomy.
The architectural history of the square begins around 1150, when the first municipal building, the Antico Palazzo Civico (or domus civitatis), was erected in the north-east corner. This palazzo served multiple functions over the centuries. Until 1221 it housed the city assemblies and the offices of the consuls; from 1286 it became the seat of the court of justice and of the criminal magistrate. In the 18th century, having passed into private hands, it was renamed Palazzo Fainardi. Despite the changes, the building still preserves valuable original architectural elements, including the elegant medieval mullioned windows on the southern facade.
Events of the 13th century and developments in the Middle Ages
In 1221, at the behest of the podestà Torello da Strada, the Palazzo del Torello was built on the south-western side of the square. The building was characterised by a wide portico on the ground floor and a loggia with council chambers on the upper floor, performing an important political and administrative function. Unfortunately, after centuries of alterations and changes of ownership, the building did not survive the damage of the Second World War and was replaced by the headquarters of the Banca Commerciale Italiana.
Also in 1221, the Palazzo del Podestà was erected on the southern side of the square, connected to the Palazzo del Torello by an aerial walkway. Its architectural history is particularly interesting: in the 18th century, the architect Alexandre Ennemond Petitot altered its appearance as part of a wider renewal of the square. In 1927 the original medieval facade was rediscovered and restored, having lain hidden for centuries beneath 18th-century plasterwork.
The rise of popular government created the need for new administrative spaces. Between 1281 and 1282 the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (or Comunale Nuovo) was built on the south-eastern side of the square, near the church of San Vitale. The building served as both administrative seat and residence of the Capitano, and was equipped with a civic tower that was modified several times. It was rebuilt in 1628-29 after the collapse of the tower in 1606, and its facades remain unfinished to this day, a testament to its complex architectural history.
With the growth of commercial activity, the northern part of the square was renewed to make way for the Palazzo dei Mercanti between 1283 and 1285. This complex was originally made up of two buildings separated by a street, which were unified in 1673 by means of a tower. During the period of the Signorie it became the seat of government, taking the name Palazzo del Governatore, and acquired its present-day appearance thanks to Petitot's 18th-century alterations.
In 1287 the square reached its definitive form with the construction of the Camusina criminal prison and the Civic Tower, positioned behind the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. These structures were unfortunately lost when the tower collapsed.
Innovations of the 19th century
Since 1893 the square has borne the name of the hero of two worlds, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and continues to play its role as the city's administrative centre. The square's present appearance offers a fascinating architectural palimpsest reflecting the different eras of its history, with buildings preserving medieval elements, palazzi with 17th- and 18th-century architectural features and modern post-war constructions.
This historical and architectural layering makes Piazza Garibaldi an exceptional example of how an urban space can evolve over time while retaining its centrality in city life. The square represents not only the administrative heart of Parma but also a living testament to the city's history, where every building tells part of its evolution from medieval commune to modern European city.