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The Piazza del Duomo represents the heart of the city. Romans began inhabiting the city when they extended the Via Cassia beyond Florentine borders. Remains of the city from roman times where discovered during archaeological digs.
According to roman city plans, the current piazza represented the intersection of two main roads: cardo maximus and decumanus maximus. Near this intersection was the forum and an elegant home belonging to a noble family, of which it is possible to see the remains of the ancient mosaic pavement.
The piazza also had Etruscan presences as is noted by the two columns found in the vicinity and visible in the archaeological path of the ancient Vescovi palace.
After the barbarian invasions, the piazza was no longer the social centre of the city and the centre was moved near Piazza della Sala, where the Gastaldo palace was built.