Palazzo della Mercanzia
Palazzo della Mercanzia
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4.5
268 reviews
Excellent
121
Very good
119
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26
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2
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0
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia5,332 contributions
Dec 2019
The beautiful Palazzo della Mercanzia is building built in Gothic style. It is located in the square of the same name, right next to the famous Asinelli Towers. It was housed there the Chamber of Commerce, for Industry, Agriculture and Crafts. Palazzo della Mercanzia has been managing Bologna's trading and business activities since the late 14th century. The construction of the Carrobbio open gallery (now the Mercanzia) began in 1348 under the direction of Antonio di Vincenzo and Lorenzo Bagnomarino with the purpose of merging three buildings previously used as a customs and toll house. Four stonecutters from Florence were called to build the gallery and prepare the natural stone for construction. The building was completed in 1391, but the elegant construction needed an extension in 1439 and restoration work in 1484 following the collapse of the de' Bianchi tower. A small marble balcony juts out between two mullioned windows above the arches, from which is the judges of the merchants' court would read their sentences, and various decisions. An elegant spire rises above the balcony covering one of the dovetail merlons at the top of the building. According to local tradition, bans and sentences of the merchant's court were read from this marble canopy at the stroke of the bell called "Lucardina". The interesting thing is that the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Bologna houses the original recipes of some typical products of the Bolognese cuisine:
- recipe and measure of the real Bologna noodle (tagliatella di Bologna), filed on 04/16/1972
- recipe for the real filling of tortellini from Bologna (tortellini di Bologna) , filed on 07/12/1974
- Bolognese sauce ( ragù Bolognese ) recipe, filed on 10/17/1982
- recipe of the Carthusian cake of Bologna (certosino di Bologna) , filed on 23/06/2003
- Bolognese green lasagna (lasagne verdi Bolognesi) recipe, filed on 04/07/2003
- recipe and measure of the real Bologna noodle (tagliatella di Bologna), filed on 04/16/1972
- recipe for the real filling of tortellini from Bologna (tortellini di Bologna) , filed on 07/12/1974
- Bolognese sauce ( ragù Bolognese ) recipe, filed on 10/17/1982
- recipe of the Carthusian cake of Bologna (certosino di Bologna) , filed on 23/06/2003
- Bolognese green lasagna (lasagne verdi Bolognesi) recipe, filed on 04/07/2003
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,168 contributions
May 2019
This is only a 5-10 minute stop but it is definitely worth a look. If you are particularly interested in exploring the old buildings of medieval Bologne, then I’d count it as a must-see.
It’s very centrally located and is only a couple of minutes from the two towers.
Built in the mid 1300s as the headquarters of the merchants’ guilds, this is where all trading and business activities were regulated and disputes between buyers and sellers were settled. Basically it was the centre of business activity for 6 centuries. Compared to the palazzos of Piazza Maggiore, it’s not a big building but it is a very attractive one, with mullioned windows, pointed Gothic arches, a marble balcony, marble spire, and a crenallated roof.
Points of Interest:
• The best bit is just inside the main doors. The stairwell ceiling is covered with painted coats of arms. There is a coat of arms for every single judge who worked in merchants’ law court since 1432 – a total of over 300. It is colourful and almost Harry Potter-ish. Entry is free.
• Back outside, look up to the little marble balcony sticking out above the main door - this is where the Judge of the merchants’ court would stand to announce news of the day and to proclaim decisions and announce sentences.
• Beneath the balcony, bankrupts, swindlers, fraudsters and other financial wrongdoers would be chained to the central pillar where the crowds could mock and publicly humiliate them.
• Look for the 15th century Latin plaque. It provided a guarantee of free books and clothes for students in an attempt to encourage them to study at Bologna. Very progressive thinking!
• My favourite bit about this building is that it is officially the keeper of the original recipe and exact measurements for tortellini (if you’re wondering, it should be exactly 8mm when cooked). I loved that they have an official record of this and that it is registered here with the Chamber of Commerce. Only in Italy!
• Before you go, it’s worth taking note of the 13th century house on your left, Casa Seracchioli, which still has wooden porticoes. Also the remains of the 12th century Alberici Tower behind it (it was cut off so is a bit short nowadays).
It’s very centrally located and is only a couple of minutes from the two towers.
Built in the mid 1300s as the headquarters of the merchants’ guilds, this is where all trading and business activities were regulated and disputes between buyers and sellers were settled. Basically it was the centre of business activity for 6 centuries. Compared to the palazzos of Piazza Maggiore, it’s not a big building but it is a very attractive one, with mullioned windows, pointed Gothic arches, a marble balcony, marble spire, and a crenallated roof.
Points of Interest:
• The best bit is just inside the main doors. The stairwell ceiling is covered with painted coats of arms. There is a coat of arms for every single judge who worked in merchants’ law court since 1432 – a total of over 300. It is colourful and almost Harry Potter-ish. Entry is free.
• Back outside, look up to the little marble balcony sticking out above the main door - this is where the Judge of the merchants’ court would stand to announce news of the day and to proclaim decisions and announce sentences.
• Beneath the balcony, bankrupts, swindlers, fraudsters and other financial wrongdoers would be chained to the central pillar where the crowds could mock and publicly humiliate them.
• Look for the 15th century Latin plaque. It provided a guarantee of free books and clothes for students in an attempt to encourage them to study at Bologna. Very progressive thinking!
• My favourite bit about this building is that it is officially the keeper of the original recipe and exact measurements for tortellini (if you’re wondering, it should be exactly 8mm when cooked). I loved that they have an official record of this and that it is registered here with the Chamber of Commerce. Only in Italy!
• Before you go, it’s worth taking note of the 13th century house on your left, Casa Seracchioli, which still has wooden porticoes. Also the remains of the 12th century Alberici Tower behind it (it was cut off so is a bit short nowadays).
Written November 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,731 contributions
Mar 2016 • Business
It's not all that impressive from the outside, but the Palazzo is well worth a visit. The outside does have a couple of small pieces of decor worth stopping to see, but otherwise, it's the interior to catch.
Written March 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
v0gue
Boonah, Australia507 contributions
Nov 2019
Old Market centre of the commercial markets of Bologna. Just nearby one finds all the wonderful shops and small osterias.
Written November 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill H
Victoria, Canada204 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
Possibly the most arresting example of late Gothic architecture, this palazzo continues to draw one's eyes to it (as do the various late medieval houses nearby).
Written September 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harmonicaharold
Philadelphia, PA1,417 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We loved walking a lot to discover this amazing city. Finally this lovely little square had public benches where one could just sit, rest and enjoy the surrounding architecture, shops, cafes and plaques (in Italia & English) that described this historic location.
Written September 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnaSrdjan
Belgrade, Serbia174 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
One can almost hear the layers of voices of Roman and later tradesmen around this beautiful square. It feels as if you could hear the sound of golden and silver coins being exchanged for all sorts of goods from around the Mediterranean and beyond. Another must-see in Bologna.
Written November 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Raski
Budapest, Hungary141 contributions
Aug 2016
It's a nice building close to the two towers of Bologna. It was the palace outside the walls of the city, it was the distribution center for goods.
Written August 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roland B
Zurich, Switzerland1,808 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
located in the very heart of the city, just at the towers, the old traders building (chamber of commerce) is a nice building with some interesting features. have a close look at the clock on the front side for example. the nice square in front invites for a drink.
Written May 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksandar
Belgrade, Serbia8,214 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Definitive proof how rich and important Bologna once was.
Astonishing architecture, combined with highest quality materials, makes this really great building.
Worth seeing.
Astonishing architecture, combined with highest quality materials, makes this really great building.
Worth seeing.
Written September 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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