Foodies Love the Quadrilatero, Bologna Italy’s Oldest Market

If you're a foodie and are looking for what to do in Bologna, Italy to give you a true sense of this medieval city, your first stop should be the Quadrilatero, the oldest market in Bologna.

You can easily spend the morning, and then the afternoon browsing and shopping for local foods at the series of indoor markets, food halls, and vendors lining the streets of the oldest part of the city.

From meat and cheese purveyors, to fish mongers, small cafes, and food halls, you’ll never be at a loss for interesting things to see.

By then it’s late afternoon — time for Aperitivo — and, well, you might as well just stay for that since it is the most social time of day.

The Quadrilatero Bologna is the hub of activity in the historic city center and a, Italy foodie's dream. The historic architecture is worth a spot on your BolognaItaly bucket listfor sure.

The Quadrilatero Bologna

It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it should be the first place you visit when you arrive in Bologna. The feeling you have when you step into this bustling enclave will stay with you forever…it’s the feeling of Bologna.

Few places exist in the world where you can still feel the medieval past haunt your every step and that feeling of authentic history surrounds you. In some parts, the buildings look the way they did back then, though today they're dressed up in fresh marketing and modern awnings.

I absolutely love exploring areas like this, where a leisurely stroll turns into so much more. Especially if this is yourfirst time to Bologna, don't miss this part of town.

Bologna has largely been spared the earthquake devastation other parts of the country have endured through the centuries, leaving the city fairly preserved and looking as though a horse and carriage could come around the corner at any moment, though you'll hear their hooves on the cobblestone streets long before.

This is the Quadrilatero - the area every visitor to Bologna finds themselves entering and feeling this was just the place they were looking for!

History of the Quadrilatero

The ancient mercantile center of Bologna gets its name "Quadrilatero" from the word Quadrilateral referring to a defensive system or fortress. This area had its greatest development in the Middle Ages and has remained relatively unchanged over time.

It was here that the major craft guilds of the city formed including the painters, furriers, goldsmiths, butchers, fish mongers, theSalarolior meat processors, and barbers.

Back in the day, the merchant guilds were set along a small enclave known as theMercato di Mezzo, but today the area has greatly expanded and is just steps from the Piazza Maggiore, the historic heart of Bologna.

Today, the area has grown but still retains the personal spirit of community — customers greeting shopkeepers greeting customers. Generally, the Quadrialtero is bounded by a large quadrant of streets including the Via Rizzoli, Via Castiglione, Via Farini, Piazza Galvani and Via dell'Archiginnasio.

Here you'll find jewelers, butchers, delis, fish markets, produce stands, bakeries, and high end apparel stores. It's a lively social scene with wine bars and eateries where locals and visitors enjoy an evening Aperitivo with friends.

If you're looking to try the iconicfood in Bolognalike the ever-popular tortellini in brodo or a hearty Bolognese, foodies will find them all right here.

Osteria del Sole

When you stroll the Quadrilatero, not only are you in the oldest commercial center of medieval Bologna, you're also steps from one of theoldest pubs in the world- Osteria del Sole - in existence continually since 1465...1465!

Osteria del Soleis a great place to hang out with friends and catch up on the latest news. Hanging out in Osteria del sole is some of the mostfun a foodie can have when they visit Bologna. whether it’s for lunch, aperitivo, or dinner.

Bring your food to the pub and grab a seat at one of the communal tables. Beer and wine is available here, and one of the best social experiences you can have!

参观Quadrilatero是最好的thi之一ngs to do in Bologna for people-watching, making new friends, or tasting the foods and flavors of this culinary city. See the city, talk with the merchants (many of them speak English), and purchase a picnic lunch.

Have you been to Bologna and the Quadrilatero? What historic cities do you love?

IF YOU GO

Check out theBologna Tourismwebsite for lots of great information to help plan your visit. Better yet, stop in their office on the north side of the Piazza Maggiore and meet them in person!