Piazza Santa Maria

Piazza Santa Maria, like an urban heart, is fed by four pathways. All four of these small, narrow, cobble stone pathways are used both by pedestrians and vehicles. Everything from mopeds to compact cars to medium sized delivery trucks squeeze through these paths. Once in the piazza the districts within it are three. The sides along the piazza by the shops and coffee bars collect people as soon as they enter. The center of the piazza is another. As people venture out into the piazza they exit the first district into the center where they are then the center of attention. Anyone can look at them. Moving further into the piazza is the church of Santa Maria. The front of the church is another district. People stop and marvel at its façade before entering. The clear edge to all of these districts is simply the surrounding buildings. They contain the piazza and its activity like a four story high fence. In the center of the Piazza, in the center district is its beautiful fountain. This landmark is a central component to the activity in the piazza. Students gather and sit while they enjoy a drink, street performers play their instruments, children and dogs run up and around, and people walk up its steps and fill their water bottles in its pools. In the southwestern corner of the piazza is its greatest node, the church. All sorts of people gather around this church for all different reasons. People gather to pray, tourists take pictures, beggars gather at its gates hoping for an offering, students even go to draw its sculptures and interiors. Piazza Santa Maria has all the makings of the five basic principles.