Palazzo dei Banchi

Palazzo dei Banchi, located on the eastern side of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, is a fascinating example of Renaissance architecture. Its construction, completed between 1565 and 1568, was the last significant addition to the city’s main square. The design of the facade was commissioned to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, one of the most important architects of the Italian Renaissance. This architectural intervention was intended to mask the disorderly series of houses and shops behind it, giving the square a more harmonious and regal appearance. The name “Palazzo dei Banchi” derives from the historical presence of the “banchi” or exchange benches, the shops where currency exchange and loan activities took place, managed by aristocratic and senatorial families such as the Malvasia, Duglioli, and Amorini. These benches were located under the arcades of the palace, contributing to the economic vitality of the area during the 15th and 16th centuries. The palace facade is asymmetrical and features 15 rounded arches, two of which are larger and lead to the alleys behind, such as Via Pescherie Vecchie, Via Clavature, and Via degli Orefici, each known for its specific commercial activities. The arches are flanked by imposing composite pillars, creating a visual rhythm that unifies the entire structure into a single gallery, in a mannerist style that was innovative for the time. The portico under the facade, known as the Pavaglione, connects the palace to the Archiginnasio, one of the main buildings of the University of Bologna. The term “Pavaglione” derives from the local dialect “pavajån,” meaning pavilion, in reference to a silk worm fair that was held in the area. This portico continues to be an important landmark, hosting markets and fairs that enliven city life. Behind the Palazzo dei Banchi is the Mercato di Mezzo, a labyrinth of alleys that has hosted a market of typical and artisanal products since the Middle Ages. This market is a vibrant place where you can find a wide range of local products, ranging from cheeses to meats, wines to sweets, offering an authentic experience of Bolognese culture. Next to the palace are the Civic Archaeological Museum and the church of Santa Maria della Vita. The museum houses one of the richest archaeological collections in Italy, with artifacts ranging from prehistory to the Roman era, through Etruscan and Celtic civilizations. The church, on the other hand, is famous for the Lamentation over the Dead Christ, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture by Niccolò dell’Arca. An interesting anecdote concerns the design of the facade by Vignola, who, with great skill, managed to create a visual effect of unity and grandeur despite the heterogeneity of the buildings hidden behind it. This intervention not only improved the aesthetics of the square but also helped discipline urban space, creating a harmonious dialogue between the palace and the other historic buildings of the square, such as the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo del Podestà.