Piazza Vetra

"Taking a stroll through the Parco delle Basiliche on the back of the Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio, now called Parco Giovanni Paolo II, you can arrive in Piazza Vetra on the back of the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore and the Colonne di San Lorenzo. This place has been the theater of unfortunate events: from the year 1385 Piazza Vetra was the place where the condemned of witchcraft were burnt at the stake. In 1385 was the turn of Gaspare Grassi da Valenza as a warlock. In 1390 Sibilla Zanni and Pierina Bugattis were accused of being a part of the secret society of Diana, participating in secret meetings that clearly had a pagan heritage. The last stake happened on 22nd November 1641 after hundreds of men and women died in Piazza Vetra. At the end of the 19th century and continuing in the 20th, Piazza Vetra was a place of micro criminality, home of the "Banda della ligèra" a group of criminals who became very popular and that sometimes were associated with modern Robin Hoods. At the moment the park has been cleaned up but it is always good to keep the eyes open, especially if you stroll in the park at night. 😉"

"Full of flowers and fragrances in the spring and summertime, enjoy an afternoon here in solitude or with friends."