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.