Piazza Grande is the ceremonial heart of Modena, framed by the cathedral on one side and the medieval Palazzo Comunale on another. Both the square and the cathedral are part of a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. The space is wide and open, with outdoor cafes along the edges, and feels genuinely civic rather than tourist-trap — locals use it as a shortcut and a meeting point.
The Palazzo Comunale, the city's seat of government since the 13th century, has a distinctive mix of medieval and Renaissance elements. Inside, the Sala del Fuoco contains a large fresco depicting the signing of the Concordat of Worms. The Torre della Ghirlandina rises 88 metres at the cathedral's side, visible from the surrounding plain on a clear day.