Old Market, Quadrilatero, Bologna

There is a reason why Bologna prides itself in being the culinary capital of Italy. Home to mortadella, tortellini and ragu, it has cherished the tradition of eating well for centuries, choosing never to stoop when it comes to food and its quality.

To worship some street food, pious Bolognese head for Quadrilatero, the city’s oldest food market. Bounded by piazza Maggiore, via Rizzoli, piazza della Mercanzia, via Castiglione, via Farini, piazza Galvani and via dell’Archiginnasio, Quadrilatero is situated right in the historical center area. The old market had been fully developed by the Middle Ages, when its narrow alleys acquired their names according to their specializations. For centuries Via Pescheria housed fishmongers; via Orefici attracted the most skillful goldsmiths, while via Drapperie was the reign of haberdashers and upholsterers who knew the latest fashion.

Although today all the shops and restaurants are mingled altogether, the area is incredibly evocative of the medieval times and, all in all, is fairytale-like. The delicious smells drifting from the shops are bound to cause some stomach rumbling, while genuine artistic treasures will catch the eye of any fashion-hunter.

Whoever you are and whatever you are doing in Bologna, don’t miss Quadrilatero!

L'antico mercato del Quadrilatero

Via Drapperie, 40124 Bologna