Market Square – Domodossola

The heart of Domodossola is Piazza Mercato, a very picturesque gathering place that has become a symbol of the town, visited and photographed by thousands of tourists.

With its characteristic 15th-century porticoes, which support elegant houses with balconies and loggias built in the 15th and 16th century, Piazza Mercato is charmingly asymmetrical. The columns that support Romanesque and Gothic arches boast finely-carved capitals and the façades display the coats of arms of the great Ossola families, such as De Rodis, Dalla Silva, Da Ponte and Ferrari.

The centre of the square was once occupied by the 14th-century town hall, which was demolished in 1805 when the Napoleonic Simplon Pass was opened. The building featured a “butter bell” that regulated selling hours for local farmers with its tolls. The northern side formerly contained the palace of the Bishop-Count and its accompanying tower. To the south, the Teatro Galletti is still standing.

The splendid Via Briona is particularly notable. Starting from Piazza Mercato, it still serves as an access road to the historic town centre. Bordered by houses with typical sloping granite-tiled roofs and admired for its balconies supported by caryatids, Via Briona was once the merchant’s street and still contains many small shops and businesses.

According to the plaque placed on the façade of Casa De Rodis in 1891, Domodossola was granted the right to have a weekly market on 19th December 917 by Berengar I, King of Italy. However, historical evidence shows that the Domodossola market tradition dates back to more ancient times. This tradition still continues today, every Saturday, attracting many visitors, including from nearby Switzerland.

In the early 2000s, Piazza Mercato and the entire historical centre of the town underwent major renovation work. The pavement in the square was restored and this intervention, as well as the creation of a pedestrian area, has made Piazza Mercato a perfect gathering place where people can come together to watch open-air shows and events.

Ideal for
Everybody
You will discover
Culture, traditions and folklore
Not-to-be-missed
History and art
Ideal for
Everybody
You will discover
Culture, traditions and folklore
Not-to-be-missed
History and art
IAT di Domodossola
Piazza Matteotti (inside the railway station)
28845 Domodossola (VB)
See map

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