Market Square

Piazza Mercanti, the medieval heart of Milan

A stone's throw from the Cathedral, Piazza Mercanti, the merchants' square, was in the Middle Ages the commercial and governmental centre of Milan. Picturesque and preserved, it offers a leap back in time. The Milan audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this medieval corner, a witness of the history of the city before the great modern squares.

The centre of medieval Milan

In the Middle Ages, Piazza Mercanti was the heart of Milan, at once a commercial centre and the seat of the government of the city. Justice was rendered there and business was conducted. The square keeps old buildings, such as the Palazzo della Ragione, and a medieval atmosphere that contrasts with the surrounding modernity. It is one of the rare witnesses of the Milan before the Renaissance.

What to see

You admire the medieval buildings, including the former courthouse, and feel the atmosphere of a vanished Milan. The square, more intimate and quiet than the neighbouring Piazza del Duomo, charms by its authenticity. It is a stop for lovers of history, which reveals the medieval origins of the city.

Practical information

Piazza Mercanti lies a stone's throw from Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of Milan, reachable on foot. It is a public space open at all times, freely accessible and on the level. The buildings that border it have their own uses; the square is discovered during a walk in the historic centre.

What was Piazza Mercanti in the Middle Ages?

It was the commercial and governmental centre of Milan, where justice was rendered and business was conducted, the heart of the medieval city.

Where is Piazza Mercanti?

A stone's throw from Piazza del Duomo, in the heart of the historic centre of Milan.