Piazza Mercanti Tours - page 2
Centuries before Piazza del Duomo became Milan’s main square, medieval Piazza Mercanti was the heart of the city. Marking the center of Milan’s historic center, this charming space is lined by porticoed palaces dating from the Middle Ages and offers a picturesque counterpoint to the rest of the city’s stately majesty.
The Basics
Italy’s finance and fashion capital, Milan is known for its urban hustle and bustle, especially in and around the main Piazza del Duomo. To get an idea of what the city looked like centuries before the Duomo and adjacent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II were built, join a walking, bike, or rickshaw tour of Milan's historic center that includes a stop in Piazza Mercanti along with Sforza Castle and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Piazza Mercanti, a short walk from Piazza del Duomo, is a welcome respite from the crowds of the city’s main square.
- Piazza Mercanti is paved and pedestrian-only, so easy to manage with a wheelchair or stroller.
- Tours of Milan’s historic center are mainly outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.
How to Get There
To reach Piazza Mercanti, walk from the northwest corner of Piazza del Duomo along Via Mercanti until you see the piazza on your left. The square is located between the metro stops of Duomo and Cordusio.
When to Get There
Piazza Mercanti is much less famous than Piazza del Duomo, so generally not as inundated with tourists and shoppers. You can take a break here during the busiest hours of the day when the crowds are at their peak. The piazza is just northwest of Piazza del Duomo, so you can easily combine a skip-the-line tour of the city’s soaring cathedral with a visit to its more modest original main square.
The History and Architecture of Milan’s Former Main Square
Piazza Mercanti, or Merchants Square, was once much larger than it is today, occupying part of present-day Via Mercanti. Most of the buildings on the square were built in Gothic or baroque style, including the Palazzo della Ragione (Milan's historic city hall), Loggia degli Osii, Palazzo dei Notai (Notary's Palace), and Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine. A well dating from the 1700s and fitted with two columns a century later marks the center of the square. A stone once stood near here that was used to publicly shame the city’s merchants who were debtors or, worse, bankrupt.
Address: Milan, Italy
28 Tours and Activities to Experience Piazza Mercanti
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Off the beaten path tour
Milan is a multifaceted city .
A destination for more than just fashion, design and business - New York Times, may 2019
There are thousands of ways to discover Milan… come with us! We will show you the
most authentic Milan.
Enjoy our unforgettable tour with friendly personal guides, Stefania and Silvia , real
Milanese citizens and official licensed guide by the Municipality of Milan.
…More
From
$98.91
Price varies by group size
From
$98.91
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Milan Scavenger Hunt: Milan Inspires
The #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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From
$12.31
From
$12.31
Best of Milan audio tour: From the gorgeous Duomo to Castello Sforzesco
If you’d like to discover the secrets of Milan and delve into the city’s stories and curiosities, this is the self guided audio tour tour for you! We’ll explore all the main attractions starting from the heart of Milan at Piazza della Scala, then heading towards the Duomo, before exploring the majestic Sforza Castle and ending off in the hip Brera neighborhood.
You'll also hear about:
• La Scala, the city’s landmark theatre
• The focal point of all things elegant in our fashionable city, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
• The Duomo, which is the real symbol of Milan with its mesmerizing architecture
• The story of Sforza Castle, the old fortress, and the characters that have shaped it
• Sempione Park, the green heart of Milan
• The very important tradition of aperitivo and what locals like to drink
• All that is artsy and chic in the Brera District
…More
From
$5.00
From
$5.00
Milan Sightseeing Walking Tour
This tour is an emotional walking tour in the very center of Milan. You have the possibility to get a panoramic historical overview of the city that counts more than 2 500 years. You will see the main landmarks of the city like Duomo, La Scala and Castle of Sforza. The experienced guide will share with you different legends, anecdotes and interesting stories about the most famous people who live in Milan.
…More
From
$197.82
per group
From
$197.82
per group
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