Palazzo della Mercanzia

The Palazzo della Mercanzia (Palazzo of the Merchants) was once the main trading area for the Bolognese merchants. It was designed by Antonio di Vincenzo in 1382. The building has a beautiful crenelated facade which is made up of red terracotta bricks contrasting with the carved white mullioned windows and the baldachin spire. The color contrast is made more evident by the small statues in their niches and the vaulted loggia with its pointed arches supported by robust pillars. The attractive loggia contains portals which are decorated with an inlaid lunette from 1490. Above the portals, there is a clock which was made by Alfonso Rubbiani and Alfredo Tartarini in 1889.