Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo in Fermo is a long rectangular square framed by brick arcades and civic palaces. Its form developed through successive changes from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century.

Why it matters

The ensemble brings together communal government, papal administration and institutions of learning. Arcades give architectural continuity to buildings with different histories and functions.

What to notice

Palazzo dei Priori has an external double staircase and a statue of Sixtus V. An elevated loggia connects it with Palazzo degli Studi. Palazzo Apostolico adds the former governor's presence, while the San Rocco loggiato reflects another phase of the square's development. The long porticoes create a strong rhythm along the sides.

Context and history

The space was reshaped during the fifteenth century. A major remodelling began in 1569, and further work continued into the seventeenth century. The San Rocco loggia dates to 1528, while the connection between the civic and study palaces was added in 1581. These campaigns produced a coherent public setting from buildings whose origins extend back into the Middle Ages.