During the Middle Ages, horse races were held on this square. Two obelisks marked the turning points of the chariots. Marble obelisks on the square in the style of ancient Rome were created by Bartolomeo Ammannati. And the bronze shells on which the obelisks allegedly rest are the work of the 1608 sculptor Giambologna. In fact, the obelisks rest, of course, on pedestals, and seashells only create the illusion of support. By the way, the last chariot race on this square was held in 1852. Most of the houses in the square are now hotels.→