Place Massena is the largest and most beautiful square in the old part of the French city of Nice. At the beginning of the XIX century, the city authorities of Nice decided to carry out landscaping of the Old Town. In 1834, the architect Joseph Vernier proposed a plan for creating a rectangular square. The architectural ensemble included the square itself and three-story houses with arcades on the ground floor, built in the same style along its perimeter. The project of the square, originally called the Place du Faubourg, was adopted by the city council in 1843. The square got its modern name in 1852, in honor of the marshal of the Napoleonic army Andre Massen. In 1880, Place Massena was merged with the old Place Charles Albert. The initial size of the area was 2 times smaller than the current one, since the Payon River flowed at this place, later “hidden” under a layer of concrete. The pedestrian area of Massena Square is paved with dark and light stone slabs and resembles a huge chessboard. Since the creation of the square, not only the inhabitants of Nice have been fond of walking here, but also the representatives of the Russian and English aristocracy who were resting on the Cote d'Azur. In the 19th century, a horse-drawn horse tram went along the area, then trams and cars. In 2007, it was decided to lay a modern light rail line across Massena Square, and give the square to pedestrians. In 1956, the Sun fountain was opened in the southern part of the square. In the center of the fountain there is a 7-meter-high statue of a naked Apollo, around which fierce debates were held over her "causing nudity." The statue was even removed in 1970, but since 2011, Apollo again stands in its place in the center of the fountain. He is surrounded by bronze sculptures of the Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury and Saturn by sculptor Alfred Jeannio. In 2007, the square was reconstructed, seven statues were installed on 10-meter pillars of the Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa. The composition is called "Dialogue in Nice", and 7 sculptures, according to the author, mean 7 continents. Since its inception, Place Massena has become one of the main cultural centers of the city and a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. It hosts concerts, fairs, festivals and carnivals. In winter, the square turns into a huge ice rink, and in summer there is expanse for skaters and skateboarders.