The main square of Palmanova is called Piazza Grande. It represents the center of city life, the heart of its historic center, the focus of the fortress. It was built by the Venetians in the seventeenth century and was also called Piazza d'Armi as the provveditore of the Serenissima Republic used to gather the garrisons there for military exercises. 

Hexagonal in shape, it features in the center a six-sided base made of Istrian stone from which rises an imposing flagpole, commonly known as a banner, symbol of the fortress itself. Overlooking this privileged observatory of the city are the most important Venetian historical buildings such as the Duomo Dogale, the Palazzo del Provveditore Generale, the Loggia della Gran Guardia, the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, and the Palazzo del Governatore delle Armi which, together, constitute examples of severe and austere military architecture. 

The square is surrounded by eleven statues: each of them represents one of the general provveditori of the fortress. 

It is interesting to observe how all the radial streets depart and converge from the heart of the fortress, highlighting the close connection between the internal and external urban layout.