Piazza San Marco

"The 17th-century façade of the church of San Marco dominates the piazza of the same name; buses, students, tourists and locals pass through the piazza in a bustle that lasts from dawn until late at night. This classic four-sided piazza in the northern part of the city, a short distance from the train station, the Duomo and practically next to Michelangelo's marble statue of David, is considered the hub of movement in the city centre, connecting the various buses of the urban service, the various squares, streets, museums, monuments and people of Florence! And this is what happens today, centuries after the splendor that Florence knew in the fifteenth century and after the vehemence of the words spoken by Savonarola. It is not a grand, philosophical and almost bohemian focal point like that of Piazza Santo Spirito on the other side of the river, and it is not home to the famous Calcio Storico Fiorentino like Piazza Santa Croce. San Marco is a sort of "entrance mat" for those who use the public transport system to visit the various corners of the city outside the center - or get off to explore the narrow streets and characteristic alleys of the heart of the Renaissance city. The square, which takes its name from the fabulous and eponymous church, sees literally thousands and thousands of people every day. It is characterized by a small green area surrounded by benches, usually full of students, tourists and pigeons, in front of which are placed rows and rows of scooters. The trees were recently cut down (August 2017) to be replaced with new greenery, including lots of scented roses. In the center of the small garden is a bronze statue of General Manfredo Fanti, a tribute to the man who was a soldier and commander during the Italian wars of independence."

"Elegant city square with flower beds & a statue of a general, flanked by restaurants & a basilica."