Piazza Mercanti, Medieval square in central Milan, Italy
Description
Piazza Mercanti is a rectangular square in central Milan featuring six historical buildings, including the red-brick Palazzo della Ragione and the Gothic Loggia degli Osii with decorated arches. Medieval facades surround the space, creating an enclosed courtyard atmosphere.
History
The square was built in the 13th century and served as Milan's main commercial and administrative hub. Six entrances connected it to different trade guilds and merchant associations.
Culture
The Palazzo della Ragione displays two notable reliefs: a Roman-era boar connected to local legends and a portrait of Oldrado da Tresseno. These carvings reflect the importance this location held for the city.
Practical
The square is easily reached on foot from Milan's city center and lies near several metro stations. Early morning visits offer a quieter experience before the area becomes busy with tourists and locals.
Did you know?
A 16th-century underground well near Palazzo dei Giureconsulti held the 'pietra dei falliti', a stone where bankrupt individuals faced public punishment. This hidden history reveals the harsh business practices that once governed this place.
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Milan offers visitors a mix of historical landmarks and modern spaces. The city is home to Gothic cathedrals like the Duomo, grand galleries for shopping and art, and important museums. You can walk through ancient churches, explore art collections in palaces, or stroll through parks. The buildings...
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
171 m
Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
131 m
Palazzo della Ragione
21 m
Coperto dei Figini
164 m
Albergo diurno Cobianchi
100 m
Loggia degli Osii
16 m
Palazzo delle Poste
116 m
Palazzo dei Giureconsulti
58 m
Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine
36 m
Palazzo Carminati
69 m
Casa Panigarola
34 m
Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali
81 m
Casa Ferrario
150 m
Palazzo del Credito Italiano
145 m
Magazzini Contratti
121 m
Monument to Giuseppe Parini
136 m
Casa dei Missaglia
115 m
Carlo Cattaneo Monument
139 m
Casa Dario-Biandrà
103 m
Casa Vanoni
139 m
Casa Giovini
133 m
Casa dell'Unione Cooperativa
138 m
Broletto well
4 m
Teatro Re
139 m
Portici Meridionali Palace
176 m
Via Tommaso Grossi
150 m
Targa a Giuseppe Parini
20 m
Giovanni Ardizzone plaque
76 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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