Piazza Mercanti
Piazza Mercanti
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The area
Neighbourhood: Centro Storico
The pulsating core of Milan is in Centro. Duomo Square is enclosed by the gothic cathedral, the historic icon of Milan. However, shopping is what draws most crowds to this area. The classy and versatile Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with luxury boutiques and high quality restaurants will turn any shopping or lunch expedition into a royal experience. Head to the rooftop of the flagship La Rinascente to enjoy the view of the animated square with a panorama of the Duomo. The Corso Vittorio Emanuele II is the street for high-end shopping. Brands of all kinds and street artists attract the attention of all visitors; while at Via Santa Radegonda 16, Luini Panzerotti is a much appreciated street food shop providing unimaginable culinary experiences. If shopping takes its toll on you, consider visiting Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century castle housing several museums. Those looking to relax can go to Parco Sempione, where nature provides respite from the energy of this dynamic and international city.
How to get there
- Duomo • 2 min walk
- Cordusio • 3 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,655 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,902 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
506 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
222
Average
74
Poor
20
Terrible
5
Brown_Samantha
Kennewick, WA1,730 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
We found the old buildings interesting, however, the piazza itself lacked the buzz like Piazza del Duomo nearby. It made a very brief stop to look around. Maybe we missed the dinner crowd, it would make a lovely dining al fresco if they had some small bistros or cafes here.
Written July 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Oct 2019
The Piazza Mercanti is a public square in the city centre of Milan between Piazza del Duomo (where Duomo is) and Piazza Cordusio (a big intersection with lots of shops). The main reason to come here is to see some buildings that have stood since medieval times, the Loggia degli Osii, Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine the Palazzo della Ragione and the Palazzo dei Notai. Although as far as I could tell, the buildings were not publicly accessible, except for ones with shops on the ground floor.
I would say the square is worth a quick look if you have time, though not a must see, and compares unfavourably with the aforementioned nearby squares.
I would say the square is worth a quick look if you have time, though not a must see, and compares unfavourably with the aforementioned nearby squares.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
notjustshoes
Milan40 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
So often missed because of its overwhelming neighbour and the fact that it is hidden behind steps and surrounded by shops (unfortunately the exit of McDonalds in Piazza Duomo leads right on to this square!), this beautiful little piazza, near to the Duomo, should be on everyone's list of things to see during any visit to Milan. There are probably even many inhabitants who have not given it a second glance. This is one of Milan's oldest squares and maintains in some part the beauty of times gone by, in this ever changing cosmopolitan City. Be sure to tilt your head up to the sky and look at the facades of these beautiful buildings. After all these years in Milan, it's still always a pleasure to pop in and savour the beauty of this very, very special piazza.
Written December 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex B
Sydney, Australia17 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
It's Milan - so of course it's completely captivating - historic architecture abounds and it's close to food & fashion.
Piazza Mercanti is as divine as others review.
It's also cool on a hot day.
The central well stands out in the grandeur. It's purpose, other than a water source, was a public platform. From here cheating business people were required to declare their shameful wrong doings. This was a marketplace of finance, law and other business specialists. Such a confession meant loss of reputation and the follow-on consequences disastrous. (remember the italian concept of la bella figura and marketing based on word of mouth.) To complete this public humiliation, the confessor had to pull down his trousers and reveal his genitals.
Can you hear the vilification of listening merchants/possibly clients?
Standing in there - the columns, the facades, the quiet,the elegance and grace - it's a bit special.
Piazza Mercanti is as divine as others review.
It's also cool on a hot day.
The central well stands out in the grandeur. It's purpose, other than a water source, was a public platform. From here cheating business people were required to declare their shameful wrong doings. This was a marketplace of finance, law and other business specialists. Such a confession meant loss of reputation and the follow-on consequences disastrous. (remember the italian concept of la bella figura and marketing based on word of mouth.) To complete this public humiliation, the confessor had to pull down his trousers and reveal his genitals.
Can you hear the vilification of listening merchants/possibly clients?
Standing in there - the columns, the facades, the quiet,the elegance and grace - it's a bit special.
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plouton K
Ios, Greece59 contributions
Feb 2020 • Business
Very close to Duomo square. I can’t say it’s a must see but it worth it if you have the time. You will be walking around anyway to explore this historical center.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7,254 contributions
Jun 2019
When I read reviews putting down this square, I think, that maybe the reviewers missed that little inlet, that also belongs to Piazza Mercanti. The place in front of the Palazzo Mercanti, I agree, nothing to be excited about it, but there is a narrow path, leading next to a scaffolded building to a small Piazzetta. At the entrance is a KFC, that is a shame because it destroys the atmosphere of this Middle Age space. There is the medieval building of the Palazzo Delle Scuole Palatine, with its beautifully decorated facade and arced terrace, and as I learned from a video, the building opposite, that is now covered and scaffolded, also a fascinating house. Two passages are leading to this Piazzetta. In one of them is a coffee shop, where we had a quick lunch. In the middle of the square are two columns, holding a Tympanum, with the date 1767, and under the Tympanum is something like a covered well. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read the writing on it except the particular time, so probably never will know, what was it for. The atmosphere of this little square with these old decorative houses is exceptional, and I was utterly fascinated about it.
Written August 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,165 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This little piazza is really close to the Duomo and gives a really interesting glimpse into Milan’s medieval past. It would be a shame to miss it. It is only 1 – 2 minutes walk from the Duomo and you only need to spend 5 -10 minutes here.
As others have said, it is not a must-see but it is definitely worth stopping for a brief look. There are several points of interest and curiosities but you do need to know what to look out for.
Most interesting is the fact that there are several medieval buildings still standing, clustered together in the one piazza, just like they were up to 800 years ago. Political power in the Middle Ages was centred in this piazza. All judicial, trading and commercial activities took place here.
If you do stop by, here are some things to look out for:
• the big red 13th century building, the Palazzo della Ragione – 800 years ago the courts of justice were above and there was a market place under its big open arches below.
• Find the weird woolly boar which is the oldest symbol of Milan. It’s high up on one of the Palazzo arches, although I thought it looked more like a sitting wolf, than a pig. It’s called a ‘scrofa semilanuta’ and the shortened version is how Milan got its name.
• The market place has an unusual acoustic effect - a whispering gallery. The rounded domes and arches mean that if you stand with your face turned towards the column on the outer corner and whisper something, someone else standing facing an opposite column will hear you. Apparently, in medieval times merchants used it to communicate trade secrets.
• the well in the centre - this was where bankrupts were brought to sit on the ‘stone of the failed’ (‘la pietra dei falliti’). Passers-by got to hurl insults and abuse (and maybe rotten tomatoes?). Harsh times!
• Look up above to the balcony with the eagle and snake decorations. This is the Loggia degli Osii, where a judge in the 1300s would read out the charges against criminals and bankrupts and their assets were put up for auction.
• The statues and decorations over the Loggia degli Osii are of the Virgin Mary, the saints and the town’s coats of arms.
NOTE: When we stopped by this time, renovation work was being carried out and the Palazzo was partly covered.
As others have said, it is not a must-see but it is definitely worth stopping for a brief look. There are several points of interest and curiosities but you do need to know what to look out for.
Most interesting is the fact that there are several medieval buildings still standing, clustered together in the one piazza, just like they were up to 800 years ago. Political power in the Middle Ages was centred in this piazza. All judicial, trading and commercial activities took place here.
If you do stop by, here are some things to look out for:
• the big red 13th century building, the Palazzo della Ragione – 800 years ago the courts of justice were above and there was a market place under its big open arches below.
• Find the weird woolly boar which is the oldest symbol of Milan. It’s high up on one of the Palazzo arches, although I thought it looked more like a sitting wolf, than a pig. It’s called a ‘scrofa semilanuta’ and the shortened version is how Milan got its name.
• The market place has an unusual acoustic effect - a whispering gallery. The rounded domes and arches mean that if you stand with your face turned towards the column on the outer corner and whisper something, someone else standing facing an opposite column will hear you. Apparently, in medieval times merchants used it to communicate trade secrets.
• the well in the centre - this was where bankrupts were brought to sit on the ‘stone of the failed’ (‘la pietra dei falliti’). Passers-by got to hurl insults and abuse (and maybe rotten tomatoes?). Harsh times!
• Look up above to the balcony with the eagle and snake decorations. This is the Loggia degli Osii, where a judge in the 1300s would read out the charges against criminals and bankrupts and their assets were put up for auction.
• The statues and decorations over the Loggia degli Osii are of the Virgin Mary, the saints and the town’s coats of arms.
NOTE: When we stopped by this time, renovation work was being carried out and the Palazzo was partly covered.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno P
Milano180 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
The intact medieval athmosphere in the center of the city.
The place where all the merchant used to converge centuries ago.
So different from the rest.
A special place that very often tourist overlook.
The place where all the merchant used to converge centuries ago.
So different from the rest.
A special place that very often tourist overlook.
Written March 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P.Paolo G
9 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Can you find a strange animal in a bas-relief up in one of the arches facing Via dei Mercanti? Search for it! Someone says it's the proof of the celtic origin of Milano. It looks like a board sitting on its hind legs. The Italian name of that animal is scrofa semilanuta, in English "half-woollen sow". Semi-lanuta comes from the latin "medium lanae", which was then turned in Mediolanum and finally Milano. The scrofa semilanuta is probably the most ancient emblem of the city. The tradition, or the legend if you prefer, says a Gaul named Belloveso, who reached the Po valley around year 600 b.c., was looking for the best place to establish a new village. One night he dreamed some god telling him the place was were a strange sow with long wool on its forepart was. The day after he met that animal and he marked the place as the center of the new village. The scrofa semilanuta became the emblem of the city till the Visconti era, when it was replaced by the well known "biscione". The bas-relief you see here was found in year 1233 during the Palazzo della Ragione construction works. The scrofa semilanuta is also depicted at Palazzo Marino, the Milano city hall, on a coat of arms of the inner court, and in the Alessi room, one of the most beautiful rooms in the same building, on the official banner of Milan, at the foot of St. Ambrose
Written December 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul_deirdre
Dublin, Ireland213 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
The medieval market space is an attractive shaded spot amidst the bustle close to the Duomo. Check out the photographic exhibitions in the extensive museum space above. There is currently a wonderful Sebastiao Salgado exhibition displayed there entitled Genesis - with free access. This is a wonderful celebration of eco-systems from Patagonia to the Amazon, Colorado to Alaska, Namibia to Ethiopia-featuring mountains and forests and their indigenous communities. The medieval market building is a fitting place to present Salgado's images.
Written July 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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