The curve of the. piazza was defined by a continuous row of palace fronts, most dating from the 14th century. At the base of the tower, one finds the Cappella di Piazza (1352-76), built to commemorate
the deliverance of the city from the plague. Opposite the town hall is a Loggia della Mercanzia (1417), where merchants could meet. The Duomo (1196-1215) a few blocks away dominates the silhouette. As was common in Italy, ar.eas of towns were organized around mendicant churches. In
this case the principal ones are St. Domenico (1226), Sant'Agostino (1258), and St. Francesco (1326-1475).