Corte Isolani: A Medieval Passage in Bologna

Corte Isolani is one of Bologna's most peculiar places, a covered passage connecting Piazza Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore, two of the city's main arteries. The long indoor passage follows the ancient route of the Via Emilia, with traces still visible in the basements of some shops. On the Strada Maggiore side, Corte Isolani features one of the oldest Gothic wooden porticos in Bologna. Legend says that the arrows in the ceiling are from a foiled assassination attempt of a noblewoman. According to the story, a jealous husband hired hitmen to kill his wife, who he accused of adultery, but she looked out the window naked, distracting them and causing them to miss. Following restoration in 1995, the Isolani family reopened the courtyard to the public. Today, the passage houses restaurants, art galleries, bars, and shops, including the Maurizio Carpanelli Art Gallery. On the Piazza Santo Stefano side, the courtyard opens onto a palace built in the mid-15th century by the Bolognini family and later acquired by the Isolani family.