Piazza Silvestri Medieval Square

A Living Medieval Stage

Piazza Silvestri is the scenographic heart of Bevagna, an unspoiled town in the Umbrian plain. Unusually for Italy, the square is asymmetric, its buildings set at deliberate angles to create a theatrical sense of depth that has fascinated visitors for centuries.

Romanesque Masterpieces

Framing the piazza stand two remarkable Romanesque churches, San Michele Arcangelo and San Silvestro, both built in the late twelfth century. Their carved portals and stone façades showcase the refined craftsmanship of medieval Umbrian masons.

The Palazzo dei Consoli

Dominating one side is the Palazzo dei Consoli, a Gothic civic palace whose grand external staircase and pointed arcades anchor the square. Today it houses the Teatro Francesco Torti, a jewel-box theatre tucked within the historic walls.

Festivals and Daily Life

Bevagna is famed for the Mercato delle Gaite, a celebrated reenactment that transforms the piazza into a thriving medieval marketplace. Even between festivals, the square remains a meeting place where the rhythms of small-town Italian life unfold against an extraordinary architectural backdrop.