Piazza Umberto I

A grand agora of Francavilla Fontana, Piazza Umberto I is the city’s beating heart. Encircled by a row of historic buildings, the square opens up as you walk along Via Regina Elena, a street that leads to one of the village’s busiest meeting places. Guarded by the 18th-century Clock Tower and enhanced by its fountain, the square branches out towards the town’s main thoroughfares.\n\nOnce a treasure trove of styles and large cisterns where grain was stored, the area was only incorporated into the town walls in the 17th century, a period when numerous commercial activities began to emerge, which still surround the square today. The ancient arcades near Via Roma and Corso Umberto I are topped by statues of the Madonna della Fontana, the city’s patron saint, the Immaculate Virgin, Saint Irene, and Saint Charles Borromeo. Bars, kiosks, and small shops are pleasant stops for a stroll through this delightful village.