Garibaldi Square

Place Garibaldi

A stop on the Nice audio-guided tour, Place Garibaldi is the oldest large square in the city. Its history recalls how closely Nice is linked to Italy: in 1780, King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia, making the road from Turin to Nice passable, commissioned this large square to welcome the travellers of the royal route.

An Italian-style square

Its architect, Antoine Spinelli, drew inspiration from Piazza San Carlo in Turin. One recognises the typical architecture of northern Italy, with its elegant arcades and its harmonious facades decorated with trompe-l'oeil. At the centre stands the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of Italian unification, considered one of the fathers of the nation.

What to see

Garibaldi is shown wearing his famous shirt. Lined with arcades, cafes and the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, the square is today one of the living hearts of Nice. Admire its facades in warm tones, witnesses to the city's Sardinian past.

Practical information

Place Garibaldi is between old Nice and the port, in Nice. Freely accessible, it can be discovered at any time.

Who does the statue on Place Garibaldi represent ?

Giuseppe Garibaldi, hero of Italian unification, born in Nice.

What square inspired Place Garibaldi ?

Piazza San Carlo in Turin, capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia.