Phrases › Reading Signs and Maps › Dove si trova la piazza principale?

Dove si trova la piazza principale?

Where is the main square?

Pronunciation

'Piazza' — PYAT-tsa. The double 'z' gives a 'ts' sound; the 'ia' is a diphthong.

When to use it

Ask when you are looking at a town map and cannot find the main square. Every Italian town revolves around its piazza — it is the social, political, and commercial heart.

What it means

'Principale' (main, principal) is an adjective that does not change for gender: 'il palazzo principale', 'la piazza principale', 'il segnale principale'. 'Dove si trova' is the polite impersonal form of asking where something is located.

Variations

Dov'è il centro storico?

Where is the historic centre?

The historic centre usually contains the main square.

Come arrivo a Piazza del Duomo?

How do I get to Piazza del Duomo?

Specifies the landmark-named square.

La piazza è segnata sulla mappa?

Is the square marked on the map?

Check the map for the square location.

Mini Dialogue

— Dove si trova la piazza principale? — Piazza Garibaldi è qui, al centro della mappa. — Come si chiama? — In ogni paese l'icona è un simbolo dei portici.

— Where is the main square? — Piazza Garibaldi is here, at the centre of the map. — What is it called? — In every town the icon shows a colonnade symbol.

Cultural Note

Almost every Italian town has a piazza named after a historical figure — Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II are the most common. These names come from the Risorgimento (Italian unification movement) of the 19th century.

← Previous

Cosa significa questo cartello?

Come si legge questa mappa?

← All phrases: Reading Signs and Maps