The most logical location for markets, in terms of their role as a place where economic operators can meet to buy and sell goods, has always been on the main access roads to cities.
In Turin, the first vegetable market was created in Piazza delle Erbe (Piazza Palazzo di Citt¨¤) in the 14th century, at the point where Via Porta Palatina, Via San Tommaso and Via Garibaldi meet. The second was situated in Piazza San Tommaso, from where it was subsequently transferred to Piazza San Carlo at the behest of Carlo Emanuele I (Duke of Savoy, reigning from 1580 to 1630). Later, the market at Piazza Emanuele Filiberto took shape, and soon became the most important in the fruit sector, while that at Via Borgo Dora became the most important for vegetables. In Piazza Palazzo di Citt¨¤ the market for culinary herbs and game became an established feature of the city.

Turin grew, its population increased significantly (4,200 inhabitants in the 14th century; 100,000 in 1830; 380,000 in 1900), and supplies began to arrive from the southern part of the region.

A fourth market was then founded, in Via Madama Cristina, where goods also arrived by rail. In 1928 various factors led the city authorities to set aside a fund of 10,600,000 lire to reorganise the city's markets which had in the meantime become too complex and fragmented.