The square was designed by superintendent Iurlo in 1838 and built under the direction of architect Giuseppe D'Errico only in 1844. The square, initially called del Mercato (the Sunday market was held there), later became dell'Intendente (since the Government Palace, seat of the Superintendent, overlooked it) and later defined, after the insurrection of August 18, 1860 and the replacement of the Superintendent with the Prefect, as Prefettura square. Around 1870 it was dedicated to Mario Pagano, jurist born in Brienza in 1778 and executed in 1799 for his active participation in the constitution of the Parthenopean Republic.