The emotional heart of Gubbio. Also called Piazza della Signoria, it is a "hanging" square — its open terrace extends over the valley below, held up by a massive retaining arch. Built from 1321 onward, it is one of the finest examples of medieval urban planning in Italy. The Palazzo dei Consoli and the Palazzo Pretorio face each other across the paving stones. On a clear day the views across the plain are exceptional.
Each May, the piazza is the starting point of the Corsa dei Ceri — three teams of men race up Monte Ingino carrying enormous wooden pillars topped with wax figures of saints. The race has been run without interruption since at least 1160, and the team of St. Ubaldo, patron of the town, always wins. This is considered entirely proper.