The current Square of Arm –formerly known as “Castle Square” for the imposing presence of the Fortress until 1786 – was the center of the Lord’s private life and the place where soldiers used to train and aline.
In ancient times it was polygonal-shaped, with one of his sides open on Giulia street and the remaining ones closed by three connected buildings.
On the western side rose the ancient Fortress, surrounded by a deep, large trench connected to the square through a drawbridge.
In Giulia Street (Via Giulia) used to be placed a column surmounted by a statue of the Roman Goddess Minerva. The statue –now placed in the middle of Square of Arms –used to mark the ideal center of the city, and probably its role was to guarantee the city safety as a modern palladium.

(Translation Ottavia Mapelli)