Background

Corte Isolani: A Medieval Passage in Bologna

Explore Bologna's hidden gem: a medieval passage with shops, restaurants, and a legendary arrow-filled ceiling connecting two main piazzas.

Corte Isolani is a unique covered passage in Bologna connecting Piazza Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore. This medieval walkway is home to shops, restaurants, and art galleries, offering a blend of history and modern commerce. Look up to see the legendary arrows stuck in the portico ceiling.

A brief summary to Corte Isolani

  • Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, 40125, IT

Local tips

  • Look up at the portico ceiling on the Strada Maggiore side to spot the three arrows stuck in the wood and learn the local legend.
  • Explore the various shops and art galleries within the passage, offering a mix of local crafts and art.
  • Enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the restaurants or bars in Corte Isolani, experiencing the local cuisine in a historic setting.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Piazza Maggiore, walk south along Via Rizzoli, then turn left onto Via Santo Stefano. Corte Isolani will be on your right at the intersection with Via Castiglione. It is a short 10-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore.

  • Public Transport

    Take a train to Bologna Centrale station. From there, take bus number 11, 14, 15, 19, 20 and get off at the 'Strada Maggiore' stop. From the bus stop, Corte Isolani is a short walk away. A single bus ticket costs approximately €1.50.

  • Taxi

    From Bologna Centrale train station, a taxi ride to Corte Isolani will take approximately 10 minutes, depending on traffic. The taxi fare will be around €11, with a base fare of €5.0 EUR and €1.2 EUR per km. Make sure the driver resets the taximeter at the beginning of the ride.

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Discover more about Corte Isolani

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.

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