Cistern of Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe

With a capacity of 1800 m3 of water, it is one of the three largest cisterns of the Upper Town, together with the one in Piazza Mascheroni and the Fontanone. Located below the street level, it was once fed by the water of the Magistrale aqueduct: from this point on the aqueduct ran down Porta Dipinta street, feeding its Fountain.

The tank was thought and designed by architect Alessio Agliardi, who decided that water should be taken through an outlet opening in the square. Said outlet was replaced in 1795 with the current fountain, to facilitate the passage of wagons and coaches.