Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (Shoe Market Square), Bergamo
Shoe Market Square serves as an important road junction, connecting the lower and upper parts of the city, as well as being the arrival station for the funicular railway. In ancient times, it was a hub that connected roads coming from Venice in the east and Milan in the south. The square, which has an irregular shape, is the first point of interest for tourists who visit the historic part of the city, known as the Orobic city.
Overlooking the square is Rota Palace, later known as Suardi Palace, which was built in the early 14th century. This building holds great significance and, during the late Middle Ages, served as the consortium headquarters for butchers, shoemakers, and later became the arrival station for the funicular railway in 1887. As a result, it has become a central meeting point in the upper part of the city.
The palace was originally constructed by Guido Suardi in 1340. Today, only the Suardi family coat of arms above the central entrance and a small terrace supported by three unique-shaped corbels remain from its original structure. Several streets open up to the square. Beyond San Giacomo Street, there is a building on the corner with Gaetano Donizetti Street that features a sign above the entrance to a restaurant, adorned with a lowered arch and a painting by the Bergamo restorer Andrea Mandelli. This is followed by Gombito Street, which connects to the bustling tourist area of the city. On the wall of the next building, there is a display case housing a fresco by an unknown artist that underwent restoration in 1984 and 2008.
In the past, the square was supplied with water from the "Fonte Seca," which was fed by a cistern dating back to the 15th century. This space later became the location of a lottery bank and, in the 20th century, hosted private commercial activities.
Overlooking the square is Rota Palace, later known as Suardi Palace, which was built in the early 14th century. This building holds great significance and, during the late Middle Ages, served as the consortium headquarters for butchers, shoemakers, and later became the arrival station for the funicular railway in 1887. As a result, it has become a central meeting point in the upper part of the city.
The palace was originally constructed by Guido Suardi in 1340. Today, only the Suardi family coat of arms above the central entrance and a small terrace supported by three unique-shaped corbels remain from its original structure. Several streets open up to the square. Beyond San Giacomo Street, there is a building on the corner with Gaetano Donizetti Street that features a sign above the entrance to a restaurant, adorned with a lowered arch and a painting by the Bergamo restorer Andrea Mandelli. This is followed by Gombito Street, which connects to the bustling tourist area of the city. On the wall of the next building, there is a display case housing a fresco by an unknown artist that underwent restoration in 1984 and 2008.
In the past, the square was supplied with water from the "Fonte Seca," which was fed by a cistern dating back to the 15th century. This space later became the location of a lottery bank and, in the 20th century, hosted private commercial activities.
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Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (Shoe Market Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (Shoe Market Square)
Sight Location: Bergamo, Italy (See walking tours in Bergamo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bergamo, Italy (See walking tours in Bergamo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bergamo, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Bergamo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bergamo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bergamo Introduction Walking Tour
The first thing you notice about Bergamo is topography. Situated at the foothills of the Italian Alps, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Bergamo has been divided into two parts, the Upper Town and the Lower Town (Citt脿 Alta and Citt脿 Bassa), since the 15th century. The flat Lower Town rises steeply to the Upper Town, perched on a picturesque hill's crest.
Historically, Lower... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Historically, Lower... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles