Take a break in the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe

Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe

An important square in the Città Alta (upper town) in Bergamo is Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (Shoe Market Square) where the roads from Milan to the south (Via San Giacomo) and Venice to the east (Via Porta Dipinta) converge.

It is also the point of arrival for the funicular from the Città Bassa and is where the main street through the town, the Via Gombito, starts.

The funicular station and bar are housed in a 14th century palazzo, which was built for the important Suardi family and has a quaint little balcony overlooking the square. 
Opposite the funicular station you can sit under the porticos of a bar to study the square, which is of great historic interest. It is believed to have been the site of the city’s market as far back as Roman times and at one time there was a fountain in the middle that was a major supplier of water for the people of Bergamo.

Even today it is a good place to stop for refreshments when sightseeing. There is also plenty of choice if you want to have a meal. As well as the restaurant in the funicular bar, there are two more at the end of Via Donizetti and several only metres away in Via Gombito.

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