Bologna’s Antiques Market

The tradition of travelling markets is still very strong in Italy, as it is throughout Europe. Amongst the most interesting are those attended by a wide range of antique and bric-a-brac traders. Bologna’s main antiques market is held once a month in the beautiful Piazza Santo Stefano, spilling over into nearby streets.

It’s a wonderful location for a market. At the far end of the piazza are some of the ancient churches which make up the Santo Stefano complex, which I described in a previous post, Santo Stefano – Bologna’s Mystical Past. Surrounding the irregularly shaped area are many old buildings with good examples of Bologna’s porticos.

Notable is the Palazzo Bolognini Amorini Salina with its series of terracotta faces.

Most dealers specialise in a particular type of item. For example you can find military memorabilia

jewellery,

postcards,

dolls,

and even vintage glasses.

Have a break at a bar, browse the old books, shop with your loved ones.

Don’t forget me!

There are lots of interesting old books.

Spend some time with your loved ones at the market.

The market takes place on the second Sunday of each month and the Saturday before this except in July and August. Occasionally it’s not held due to a special event at the location and conversely there are sometimes extra market days. You can check at this site. .

If you miss the main market, there is a much smaller version held every Thursday as part of the large general market held in the Piazza VIII Agosto. The small antiques section is located adjacent to Via del Indipendenza near Via San Giuseppe.