Piazza Federico II, Iesi

Piazza Federico II is the most important historic square in the Marche town of Jesi, in the province of Ancona.

Rising on the site of the ancient Roman Forum, at the intersection of the Cardo and the Decumanus Maximus, it underwent various changes over the centuries until it reached its present conformation between the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the central square of the city, a place of representation of municipal power, where the great public ceremonies, both civil and religious, such as the Palio di San Floriano, the greatest of them. The municipalities of the Contado, the Castelli di Jesi, once a year, on May 4 were required to present the Palio along with the payment of tributes, as a sign of submission and respect to Jesi.

On December 26, 1194, Frederick II of Swabia, future emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, was born there, and he granted great privileges and recognition to Jesi, giving it the title of Royal City.