[1] During the Roman era, the area was called "Paleopolis" in order to distinguish it from the more recent "Neapolis".

After the Islamic conquest of Sicily Palermo became the island's capital and the Paleopolis was fortified and called in Arabic "al-Halqah" (fence, corral).

Many buildings were demolished and a flat space, called "Piano del Palazzo Reale", was created.

[1] In the late 19th century a number of archaeological digs discovered some ruins and mosaics belonging to three Roman patrician houses.

The square is called "della Vittoria" in honor of the 1820 uprising against the Bourbonist garrison.