Just around the corner from the Duomo lies Piazza Mercanti, which is a wonderful little square full of history and architectural elegance. During the Middle Ages it was known as ‘Broletto Nuovo’ and was a hotspot for trade and political activities.
The arches within the square host a secret medieval communication system known as a ‘whispering gallery’, where you can speak to some of its columns and your words are whisked through the archways to listeners on the opposite side. It is said that merchants and spies took great advantage of this system to communicate their trade secrets to one another.

As well as the whispering gallery, make sure to view the ‘Stone of Failures’ which is thought to have once served as the merciless seat for criminals awaiting judgement. During the 1200’s the punishments for thieves were very severe, with a first offence resulting in the loss of one eye and a second offence leading to the amputation of both hands.