Piazza Cavour, dominated by the Pennello tower, marks the southern edge of the small medieval town, surrounded on all sides by via Castelvecchio. Palazzo Boncompagni, on the side opposite the castle, contains a famous oval spiral staircase, with free-standing structure, traditionally the work of J. Barozzi, the locally born architect. Via Garibaldi is the heart of Vignola's attractive centre, and leads to the public clock tower, a modification of the rampart which used to protect access to the castle. Three streets, via Soli, running between the medieval walls and an arcade, via Bonesi, the only street with arcades and both sides, and via Barozzi, closest to the castle, lead off from via Garibaldi with its elegant shops. This is the real Vignola, but as it is sealed off from the busy traffic of the via Vignolese surprisingly few people even know it is there.