The space of today's Piazza della Motta was originally an undeveloped area belonging to the Castle of Pordenone, called "prà del castello," which the citizens requested the Venetian government to transform into a square in 1583, built in 1592 and already used as a market place primarily for animals by 1594. During the 19th century, the square was named "piazza del grano" because of the public granary located on the top floor of the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, overlooking the square.
In the 1960s, a circular fountain with a bronze sculpture of St. Francis, created by sculptor Pietro Sam, was placed in the center of the square.
In 2002, the fountain was removed due to its poor state of preservation, and the statue was moved to Via della Motta in front of the Church of St. Francis.
