In modern cities, squares are areas for residents to meet, communicate and have fun. Squares in that sense do not seem to have existed in Byzantium. Terraces with arcades affording a view out to sea or over the surrounding area above the walls were designed as recreation areas. Following the Roman tradition, cities in late antiquity had a complex of public buildings around a central forum. The arcades surrounding the main square housed shops, while the centre of the square usually had a column supporting a statue of the emperor.

Fairs and even executions took place in some of them, such as the Forum Bovis (“of the Ox”) in Constantinople.  That being said, after the 7^th century fora in the capital were converted into market places.

In the new fortress cities founded on high ground, wide points in the streets or free spaces around churches served as squares. Though provision had not originally been made for such use, it would appear that these places served as meeting points that catered for processions, religious ceremonies and festivals.

Public spaces and squares are rarely testified in mid and late Byzantium. Mystras was one example, as the level ground in front of the Palace of the Despots was free of buildings and thus suitable for social gatherings.

The scarcity of squares and planned open spaces could be interpreted as resulting from urban sprawl and the crowding so characteristic of Byzantine cities, especially in the provinces. Typical examples are the medieval villages of Chios, where dense house construction leaves almost no open spaces, except those next to churches. Indeed, open spaces around churches and monastery enclosures gradually became important hubs of social life in cities.