The Temple of Minerva’s six Corinthian columns are the original ones from the 1st century BC.
The floor level of the Roman forum lies approximately three meters below the current surface of the modern square.
The Temple of Minerva was converted into the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in the 16th century.
The Torre del Popolo, completed in 1305, houses a bell that sounds to signal official city announcements.
The piazza is a natural terrace constructed on a slope, utilizing a massive Roman-era retaining wall.
Excavations under the square have revealed a cistern and fragments of statues dating back to the Roman period.
The fountain in the center of the piazza, Fontana dei Tre Leoni, was designed by Giacomo Giorgetti in the 18th century.
Piazza del Comune serves as the historical, political, and social center of Assisi, Italy. It occupies the site of the ancient Roman forum, evidenced by the Temple of Minerva which forms its north side. The piazza features the 13th-century Torre del Popolo and the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. The Temple of Minerva’s facade remains largely intact from the 1st century BC, while its interior was converted into a baroque church. The square is built on two levels, with the lower area containing the remains of the original Roman forum. Visitors can access the archaeological site beneath the piazza to view the forum’s Roman-era walls and drainage systems. The Palazzo dei Priori, also located on the square, serves as the current seat of the Assisi municipal government. The square functions as a central hub connecting the upper and lower districts of the hillside city.
Position yourself at the bottom of the steps of the Temple of Minerva for a wide-angle shot of the entire square.
Visit the underground Forum Romanum entrance located at the corner of the piazza to see the ancient excavations.
Walk the perimeter of the square to identify the transition between medieval masonry and original Roman stonework.
Sit at one of the cafes in the early morning to observe the square before the tour groups arrive from the Basilica.
Eating at the immediate restaurant frontages, as these are high-traffic areas with inflated tourist menus.
Maintain a respectful volume; the piazza is an active administrative center for the town.
