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The 10 most charming town squares in Europe to visit!

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No matter where you travel, town squares are the first places you should visit. Often considered the beating heart of a city, these piazzas are responsible for bringing together social life. Festivals, markets, political rallies, and other important events take place in town squares. Since the history of Europe is particularly rich, it’s fascinating to learn about its public spaces, which are sources of knowledge, culture, and entertainment even today. If you are interested in the hidden gems of the most significant cities of the Old Continent, join us to discover 10 dreamy European town squares worth visiting.

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Piazza San Marco, located in the center of Venice, is the most important public square in the city. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world—so much so that it’s said Napoleon Bonaparte once described it as "the drawing room of Europe."

Its construction began in the ninth century, and it is trapezoid-shaped. Situated in the lowest area of Venice, it is easily flooded during acqua alta ("high water"). The square is dedicated to the evangelist Mark, the patron saint of Venice—hence the name—and houses some of the most impressive buildings in the city, such as the Doge's Palace, the Basilica, and the Bell Tower of St. Mark.

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Hősök tere, which translates into English as "Heroes' Square," is one of the most important historical and cultural sites in Budapest. Its construction began in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the foundation of the Hungarian state. This landmark features 7 equestrian statues of Magyar chieftains who played a decisive role in the country's history.

These sculptures, in turn, are crowned by an impressive Corinthian column 118 feet high, and topped by the Archangel Gabriel, who raises the Holy Crown and the double cross of Christianity. This sculptural composition, also known as the Millennium Monument, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.

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One of the most beautiful and popular places in Bordeaux is the Place de la Bourse ("Stock Exchange Square"), both for its historical and architectural significance. Framed by majestic facades, the former royal square was built between 1730 and 1775, following the design of one of the most renowned architects of the time, Ange-Jacques Gabriel.

In addition to being surrounded by important buildings, such as the town hall, the Place de la Bourse features the Miroir d'eau ("mirror of water"), a favorite spot for both tourists and locals alike. Listed as a contemporary world heritage site, this spectacular piece alternates extraordinary mirror and fog effects, which no one can resist taking pictures of.

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Many argue that Grote Markt ("Big Market" in English) is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. No wonder! The ornamental charm of the buildings, along with its paving covered by the typical Brussels cobblestones, makes it a unique place. Need more evidence? In 1998, UNESCO designated Grote Markt as a World Heritage Site.

With Gothic, Baroque, Neo-gothic, and Neoclassical designs, the walls of this square, located in the center of the Belgian capital, conceal a lot of history. Its construction began in the 11th century and its strategic location soon turned it into an important trading point. In the 17th century, during the Nine Years' War, the square was partially destroyed. In the following years, the facades were rebuilt, and since then it has been carefully protected due to its high heritage value.

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"Gentlemen, I knew this was beautiful, but not this much." This is what King Alfonso XIII allegedly said when he visited the Plaza de España ("Spain Square," in English) during its construction. In 1929, the government commissioned a national pavilion as a symbol of the ties between Spain, its former colonies, and Portugal. That’s why the building represents, with its curved shape, the country's embrace of its former American territories.

Spanning more than 490,000 sq ft, this plaza in Seville is full of curiosities and symbolism, such as historical scenes, maps, and regional coats of arms. But probably the most intriguing fact about Plaza de España is that it was declared a Treasure of European Film Culture and has been a film set for mythical movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.

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Ever since Henry the Lion founded the city in 1158, Marienplatz has been the center and soul of Munich. It has been the site of important public events and festivities, from tournaments and markets to executions. Today, it is surrounded by important buildings such as the Old and New Town Halls.

Originally, the square was called Schrannenplatz ("Grain Market square") but was renamed Marienplatz ("St. Mary's square") after a monument dedicated to the Virgin Mary was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish occupation.

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Located in the historic and commercial center of Lisbon and open to the Tagus River, Praça do Comércio ("Commerce Square") is one of the most important symbols of the Portuguese capital. It was formerly called Terreiro do Paço ("Palace Yard"), since this is where the Royal Palace used to be.

After the terrible earthquake of 1755, the Marquis of Pombal decided to rebuild the square in the shape of a "U," with three large arcaded buildings that now house government agencies, the main tourist office, and some restaurants and cafes, including the Martinho da Arcada. This bar is the oldest in the city—founded in 1782—and was once frequented by prominent intellectuals, such as the famous Portuguese author Fernando Pessoa.

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Rynek Główny ("Main Market" in English), built in 1257, is the heart of Cracovia and holds an important historical, cultural, and social significance. Surrounded by historic townhouses, churches, and palaces, it is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and is the main meeting point for locals and tourists.

Perhaps its most outstanding attractions are its traditional carriages, flower stalls, and pigeons, which, according to the legend, are knights turned into birds. It is also delightful to visit this square before Christmas or Easter when traditional markets are held in celebration of Rynek Główny’s commercial past.

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Raekoja Plats, or Town Hall Square in English, is the neuralgic center of Tallinn’s Old Town. As its name suggests, this square is dominated by the Town Hall building, the oldest of its kind in the Baltic countries and Scandinavia—and the only Gothic-style town hall still standing in all of northern Europe!

Another notable attraction in Raekoja Plats is Raeapteek, one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. Although no one knows exactly when it opened, there are records dating back to at least 1422.

Raekoja Plats changes a lot depending on the season. In summer, it hosts festivals like Tallinn Old Town Days, while in winter, you can visit the Christmas Market and enjoy a nice cup of glögg, a traditional Estonian mulled wine.

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Although it’s not as old as other squares on this list, Trafalgar Square is one of the most relevant landmarks in London. It was inaugurated in 1844 to commemorate the victory of the British Navy in the Battle of Trafalgar and is now a must-see attraction for more than 30 million tourists each year. Owned by the Crown, this square is a patriotic symbol surrounded by bronze statues of several prominent figures, including George Washington.

Originally designed by the famous architect John Nash, Trafalgar Square has been a gathering place for celebrations and political rallies. If you visit it today, you’ll find hints of British culture and history, such as the majestic National Gallery and the Anglican church of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Stories of lucky accidents

Sometimes it pays to be sloppy: Products that were born from mishaps

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Inventions are often conceived through order and precision. But sometimes they’re not. As history shows, on occasion it’s the chaotic, messy moments that lead to the greatest discoveries. From accidentally boiling tea leaves in their containing silk bag to forgetting a soda outside on a freezing night, these everyday objects owe their existence to observant and creative minds who found silver linings in mishaps. Let’s look into the creation of 10 well-known products that were born on days when things went wrong.

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People weren’t supposed to dip the small bundles of tea leaves in hot water. At least, that was not what American trader Thomas Sullivan intended in 1904 when he shipped samples of his tea to Europe in small silk bags to keep the leaves neatly separated. He hoped buyers would open the bags and pour hot water over the leaves using strainers, as was customary back then. However, many customers found that the silk bags were very practical for making tea easily.

This observation led to the development of small bags for marketing tea. Gradually, the industry evolved from silk bags to more sustainable and cheaper options. It was 30 years later that parchment paper dual-chamber bags were invented, leading to the teabags we know today.

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Though wine had been produced in the northern French region of Champagne since Roman times, the Champenois had a long-lasting problem: refermentation. In winter, cold temperatures would halt the fermentation process. Dormant yeast cells would reactivate with the warmth of spring, releasing carbon dioxide gas. This pressure sometimes incorporated bubbles into the drink, and at worst, caused the bottles to explode in the cellars.

Dom Pierre Perignon, a monk in the 17th century, was tasked with finding a solution to refermentation. He experimented with grape varieties and processes for making wine, which led to the erroneous myth that he invented Champagne. While he was indeed the creator of winemaking practices that are relevant today, Champagne, as we know it today, was simply the evolution of that fizzy wine, which Champenois decided, in the end, wasn’t such a bad idea.

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16th-century Dutch traders are credited with the invention of Brandy. Its name derives from the Dutch term for "burnt wine": brandewijn. That alone hints at an interesting story.

When wine needed to be stored to travel on long sea journeys, Dutch traders developed a heating distilling system to preserve it. The idea was to make a very concentrated version that could be rehydrated with water upon arrival. However, eventually, they noticed that this "burnt" version, when stored in wooden casks, developed a unique flavor and aroma that people enjoyed. This discovery led to different regions developing their own variations, giving rise to alternatives such as cognac and Armagnac.

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The creator of Popsicles was an 11-year-old, according to the company. One day in 1905, he forgot a cup of soda with a stirring stick outside on a cold night. By the next morning, he realized that the drink had frozen, but the stick made it easy to handle. Curious, he gave the frozen soda a try and liked it.

His name was Frank Epperson, and he initially called his invention as "Epsicles" and sold them locally. It wasn’t until he was an adult that he decided to patent the invention and commercialize it on a larger scale. Eventually, Epsicles were sold worldwide. The story goes that, because Frank’s children referred to them as "Pop’s sicles," the product was eventually rebranded as "Popsicles."

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According to the story, Constantin Fahlberg was enjoying his dinner after a long day working in the lab when he noticed that his bread tasted unusually sweet. He traced this quality back to a compound he had been studying earlier. He was a chemist analyzing coal tar at Johns Hopkins University, and that day in 1879 he had been handling a derivative called benzoic sulfimide.

After this discovery, aided by his mentor Ira Remsen, Fahlberg developed a synthesis of the substance he named "saccharin" (inspired by the Latin word for sugar, saccharon). The artificial sweetener soon became commercially available and was widely used during sugar shortages that occurred in World War I.

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Nowadays, smoke detectors come in very compact plastic enclosures, making them easy to install in many homes. But they weren’t always the ceiling disks that we know today.

In the late 1930s, Swiss physicist Walter Jaeger was working on a device that would alert

people of poisonous gas leaks. Legend has it that, while taking a frustration break near one of his failed inventions, he lit a cigarette, and the machine detected it. The device was triggered and Jaeger realized that it could alert people of the presence of smoke. The first versions of the device were only available for industrial use until ​​American businessman Duane Pearsall developed a battery-powered detector in 1965, practical for home use.

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In 1826, John Walker, an English chemist, accidentally invented matches while trying to create a new lighting method. He was mixing chemicals with a stick, and when he scraped the stick on the floor to clean it, the chemicals ignited, sparking the idea of lighting chemicals by friction.

He presented this concept in London and inventor Samuel Jones adopted it into the first version of friction matches. These early matches were unpredictable, often igniting with sparks and producing strong fumes. For this reason, as well as for marketing purposes, these early prototypes were known as "Lucifers" for many years.

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In 1942, Harry Coover was an inventor at Eastman Kodak Company, where the team was trying to develop clear plastic guns to supply to Allied soldiers during World War II. They were testing the material cyanoacrylate, a compound that turned out to be incredibly durable but extremely sticky, so it was discarded.

A decade later, while reviewing his notes, Coover remembered cyanoacrylate and returned to its investigation. He quickly realized that it was a powerful substance for holding things together, without the need for pressure or heat. In the 1950s, the Eastman team marketed this product as "Eastman 910," which was later renamed "Super Glue."

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This is another example of life-changing technology born thanks to a machine not doing what it was supposed to. In 1958, engineer Dr. Wilson Greatbatch was trying to design equipment that would record the rhythm of the heart. He installed an incorrect resistor in the circuit and observed that the system produced intermittent pulses.

This discovery led to the design of a small device that could aid the beating of a human heart, though it took time to develop one that could be implanted. By 1958, Greatbatch and his collaborators had created a prototype that was tested on patients. The doctor spent the following decades iterating and perfecting his invention.

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We conclude with one of the most famous examples: German physics professor Wilhelm Röntgen stumbled on what he called "X-rays" by accident. Imagine experimenting with cathode rays in 1895 and suddenly noticing that a strange glow can pass through several opaque objects in your office.

In preliminary articles, Röntgen referred to this radiation as "X" to signify that its type was unknown. The label stuck even as these rays were further experimented with. Its medical relevance soon became obvious, and the first photographic plate made with X-rays was of his wife’s hand. Records say that upon seeing the image of her bones, she remarked, "I have seen my death."