Luza Square

Now let's continue on our way into to the large square called loggia or Luza Square. We’ll meet you at the foot of the column which stands at its centre. Off you go.

PRESS PAUSE

Here we are at the very heart of the town and it’s here that all the official and administrative buildings are located. We’re standing beside Orlando’s Column, named after one of Charlemagne’s knights, Roland de Roncevaux. Admittedly it’s rather strange to find reference to a legendary French figure here, but according to local tradition, he helped the people of Ragusa defeat the Saracen foe. In all probability, it’s in fact more likely that this is a statue of the great Hungarian ruler, Sigismond. It was carved by Bonino of Milan in 1419. By the way, one rather amusing detail, the merchants of Ragusa used the statue’s forearm as a yardstick. A Ragusan cubit therefore measured 20 inches.

Now let's look at the buildings round the square in more detail. To do so, remain by the statue but with your back to the Placa. What can you see? Well, let's begin with the building in the left hand corner of the square. Can you see it? This is the Sponza Palace. Now turn your gaze clockwise, where you’ll see a small covered passage. Above it is what is called a loggia. Just next door is a large clock tower then the Admiral’s Residence. In front of this is a small fountain which once again is the work of Onofrio who designed the larger fountain we saw earlier. Finally, still on our right and leading up from the square is the large flight of steps to the Church of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of the town.