This is probably one of the most attractive areas in the old town and is the most popular with tourists. It is the shopping Mecca of Alto Adige. Via dei Portici still has its original street market structure, the nucleus of the medieval hamlet. On the ground floor, the shops looked out under the porticoes, while the upper floors were used for housing (and still are today). The warehouses are located behind many shops and can be accessed through a small courtyard. Many of the characteristic features of the Via dei Portici can still be seen today, including Erker features (protruding balconies with a Nordic influence) and some famous shops, many of which have been here since the 19th Century. Number 30 is the old town hall with its late Gothic arches that date back to the end of the 13th Century. The porticoes are also the heart of the city's shopping area and are always bustling.
Oberrauch Zitt is synonymous with fashion, especially Tyrolean fashion. And Tyrolean fashion is, above all, a synonym of Loden. The store is spread over more than 1200 square meters (13,000 square feet), and offers men's and women's leather clothing in both fashionable and casual styles. The Oberrauch family's shop has had more than 150 years of success, and during this time it has undergone many transformations and enlargements, but it has always managed to combine classic clothing with the latest trends. Call for hours.
In 1946, local shopkeepers and artisans formed a cooperative to relaunch and sell typical local handmade goods. Artigiani Atesini is located in the Palazzo Mercantile under the porticoes. It offers a wide selection of items made in this region, including unique handmade pieces such as glass paintings, peacock-inspired embroideries, dolls in traditional costume, and candles. The cooperative unites 36 corporations. Call ahead for timings.
The Athesia bookshop, located below i Portici, is part of a large local editorial group. Along with the subsidiary branches in Bressanone, Brunico, and Merano, it offers more than one million books, CDs and videos in German and English. The shop in the old town has an Italian language section containing thousands of titles. You can also buy German books here, which can be difficult to find elsewhere.
Libreria Europa, run by the Waibl family since 1965 offers a good selection of works in foreign languages (English, French and Spanish) and a wide range of books in Italian and German, with particular attention paid to the sections of psychology, tourist guides, health and children's books. Orders are very quickly processed: two weeks for a book from America, while books arrive every day from Germany.
In the area between the Portici and Piazza Municipio stands Tschager - a must, as far as shopping in Bolzano is concerned, especially at Christmas. In fact, Tschager offers the best selection of traditional wooden nativity scenes. This shop, with its five floors, might be considered a Mecca for all lovers of artistic handicrafts. It has a vast selection and is not afraid of comparisons, even though there are many other shops selling traditional local handicrafts. The shop has its own workshop and as well as its own sculptures, Tscager also sells fabrics, pewter and wooden items, ceramics, glass pictures and much more.
Libreria Europa, run by the Waibl family since 1965 offers a good selection of works in foreign languages (English, French and Spanish) and a wide range of books in Italian and German, with particular attention paid to the sections of psychology, tourist guides, health and children's books. Orders are very quickly processed: two weeks for a book from America, while books arrive every day from Germany.
Felt is the oldest material that man has invented and used as a form of clothing, and has done so for over 7000 years. It is an insulating, porous material and is very hygienic, cool in summer and warm in winter. Since 1870, the Rizzolli family is the fourth generation of felt makers, producing exclusive felts. Located in civico 62 of the Portici, in a house dating back to 1200 this attractive shop on several floors gives you the chance to look at and try on typical hand made products in South Tyloean tradition. A visit to Rizzolli is a must for shopping in the old town. If you can come here and not buy anything then we really will be impressed!
More than a shop, Thaler, under the Portici, is the place to come for all health and beauty products. The perfumery, spread over four floors, offers a complete range of fragrances and perfume houses, essences, bath products, lotions, hand and body creams. There is a whole section dedicated to the home with small objects, perfumed candle, flowers and accessories to personalize your surroundings with a touch of class and a hint of color. Staff are able to assist in the arranging of personalized and original wedding lists.
The Aquila Nera chemists located under the porticoes has ancient origins dating back to 1317. In Art Deco style it has conserved part of the decor and windows from the beginning of the 20th Century, as well as a large wooden high Gothic crucifix.