The Quadrilatero Market in La Grassa Bologna, Italy
Bologna has a few nicknames: LA DOTTA (‘The Learned One’ because of its university, the oldest in the western world), LA GRASSA (‘The Fat One’ because of its cuisine) and LA ROSSA (‘The Red One’ because of its terracotta red buildings and roofs). I must say that you can really see and feel the presence of these nicknames when you set foot in the city.
This little trip to the province of Emilia-Romagna in Italy last spring was not only to see and experience a new city and be amazed at ancient architecture and learn about its history, but I also wanted, rather promised myself, to delight in some gastronomic indulgement. I love a savory snack and meal anytime. Whether it is plucking a local specialty from a street food vendor, going through the maze of stalls in the food market or dining with a view in a gorgeous restaurant, I welcome them all.
So whilst doing my due diligence online research, Google results told me I should be fine and well taken cared of in Bologna =)
One of the places I encountered during my foray into discovering Bologna - The Fat One was the Quadrilatero area behind Piazza Maggiore, the sight where the oldest market in the city is being run everyday until today. I first came across this area on my first evening in the city when I strolled into Via Pescherie Vecchie. Sights of ham legs and wheels of cheeses made my tastebuds salivate. The salumeria bars were calling my name and I do not think I am strong enough to resist them.
So yeah, I got stuck in this street and ordered my unplanned dinner at Salumeria Simoni, which turned out to be a very nice welcome to Bologna meal. I can tell you, there is sometimes good that comes out of an unexpected detour.
I have read that the streets, Via Pescherie Vecchie and Via Drapperie transforms into a festive outdoor market during the day. So having taken note of this I made sure to come back. I love food markets and they are sometimes the highlight in my trips.
Food markets really make me happy. It must have been the colours, the freshness of the produce, the cheerful ambiance? They all seem to convey life. It is like magnet. I am always drawn to them.
On Via Drapperie I found many shops – delicatessens selling pasta, cheeses and cured meats, there were age-old bakeries, butchers and artisan trade shops specialising in local crafts. The stores here are preserved in their historical facade and interior designs. They looked so elegant, classic and authentic. When you walk on this street, do pay attention to the architecture and design of the buildings.
Around the corner of Via Draperie and Via Clavature I found Mercato di Mezze, one of the 3 indoor food markets of the city. I have visited this market on my first night in the city but did not eat here. I however ate at the other food market which I will blog another time.
As I continued walking around the market, it dawned on me that I was actually expecting to see some fishmongers, but maybe I came on the day that they were off duty? I have not really seen them. I mainly saw stalls selling fruits and fresh produce. Maybe I just forgot to take a picture of them? To divert my mind from the subject, I contemplated on buying a small box of cherries, but helaas, I never got to doing it.
The Quadrilatero area is a great place to walk around and observe the locals. There are little old ladies lugging their shopping trolleys, surveying the fruit and produce displays, stall after stall. Then you have the constant flow of starry-eyed tourists (yup, just like me!) caught up in the market frenzy and snapping their cameras away like there is no tomorrow. Some even have their selfie sticks on the air! And I cannot forget the sharply dressed Italian men in intimidating designer suits and shiny leather shoes passing by as they hurriedly go to work. Yes, they all come and go.
By the way, do we call the locals, Bologneses? Ok, pun intended.
Travel Period: May 2016
Destination: Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Italy
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Quadrilatero Market in Bologna.
Entering the Quadrilatero Market from Piazza Maggiore through Via Pescherie Vecchie.
This little trip to the province of Emilia-Romagna in Italy last spring was not only to see and experience a new city and be amazed at ancient architecture and learn about its history, but I also wanted, rather promised myself, to delight in some gastronomic indulgement. I love a savory snack and meal anytime. Whether it is plucking a local specialty from a street food vendor, going through the maze of stalls in the food market or dining with a view in a gorgeous restaurant, I welcome them all.
So whilst doing my due diligence online research, Google results told me I should be fine and well taken cared of in Bologna =)
One of the places I encountered during my foray into discovering Bologna - The Fat One was the Quadrilatero area behind Piazza Maggiore, the sight where the oldest market in the city is being run everyday until today. I first came across this area on my first evening in the city when I strolled into Via Pescherie Vecchie. Sights of ham legs and wheels of cheeses made my tastebuds salivate. The salumeria bars were calling my name and I do not think I am strong enough to resist them.
So yeah, I got stuck in this street and ordered my unplanned dinner at Salumeria Simoni, which turned out to be a very nice welcome to Bologna meal. I can tell you, there is sometimes good that comes out of an unexpected detour.
I have read that the streets, Via Pescherie Vecchie and Via Drapperie transforms into a festive outdoor market during the day. So having taken note of this I made sure to come back. I love food markets and they are sometimes the highlight in my trips.
Food markets really make me happy. It must have been the colours, the freshness of the produce, the cheerful ambiance? They all seem to convey life. It is like magnet. I am always drawn to them.
On Via Drapperie I found many shops – delicatessens selling pasta, cheeses and cured meats, there were age-old bakeries, butchers and artisan trade shops specialising in local crafts. The stores here are preserved in their historical facade and interior designs. They looked so elegant, classic and authentic. When you walk on this street, do pay attention to the architecture and design of the buildings.
Around the corner of Via Draperie and Via Clavature I found Mercato di Mezze, one of the 3 indoor food markets of the city. I have visited this market on my first night in the city but did not eat here. I however ate at the other food market which I will blog another time.
As I continued walking around the market, it dawned on me that I was actually expecting to see some fishmongers, but maybe I came on the day that they were off duty? I have not really seen them. I mainly saw stalls selling fruits and fresh produce. Maybe I just forgot to take a picture of them? To divert my mind from the subject, I contemplated on buying a small box of cherries, but helaas, I never got to doing it.
The Quadrilatero area is a great place to walk around and observe the locals. There are little old ladies lugging their shopping trolleys, surveying the fruit and produce displays, stall after stall. Then you have the constant flow of starry-eyed tourists (yup, just like me!) caught up in the market frenzy and snapping their cameras away like there is no tomorrow. Some even have their selfie sticks on the air! And I cannot forget the sharply dressed Italian men in intimidating designer suits and shiny leather shoes passing by as they hurriedly go to work. Yes, they all come and go.
By the way, do we call the locals, Bologneses? Ok, pun intended.
The salumerias on Via Pescherie Vecchie. It is always a delight to pass by here.
Your regular fruit and produce stall at the Quadrilatero Market.
2 of my favourites: lemon and asparagus. I love using lemon to garnish my dishes, and I buy asparagus when they are in season (spring and summer).
Courgette flowers and vegetables. They are delicious.
Shops on Via Drapperie.
There are outdoor cafes in the side alleys from the market streets.
One of the distinguished and old stores in the Quadrilatero market, Paolo Atti & Figli. It is a pasta shop and bakery.
These are icing bowls. The post says - Make your summer sweet? Add into the icing bowl some ice cream, fruit salad or strawberries.
Travel Period: May 2016
Destination: Bologna (Emilia-Romagna), Italy
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Comments
Post a Comment
Hi, thank you for taking time.