The history of the famous Bolzano Arcades, today a popular shopping street, dates back to the 12th century
Image gallery: Medieval Arcades
The Arcades of Bolzano - Via dei Portici, in Italian, and Laubengasse, in German - is the most famous and most visited alley in Bolzano: The shopping street with its Gothic arches connects the Piazza delle Erbe square with the Town Hall Square.
The Arcades have always been the heart of Bolzano’s trade: Trade was already carried on under the round arches in the 12th century, when the Arcades were built by the Prince-Bishops of Trento. The vaults behind them served as storage space for goods, the apartments with atrium above served as accommodations. The typical “Laubenhaus” is 4 m wide and about 50 m deep, has wrought iron railings and characteristic oriels. The Old Town Hall is also located here: On its façade you can see remains of paintings by Conrad Waider from the 15th century.
Today the 300 m long Arcades are a much frequented shopping street: Under the arches you can find numerous shops - small old-established as well as big chains - and the two antique pharmacies “Madonna” and “Schwarzer Adler”. Every year on the 10th of August, however, the Arcades become a festival mile: Then the Night of St. Lawrence is celebrated with South Tyrolean wines.
Contact info
- Via dei Portici / Laubengasse - 39100 - Bolzano / Bozen
- +39 0471 307000
- info@bolzano-bozen.it
Opening times
Always open
Admission
Historic Town and Arcades of Bolzano freely accessible
guided tour "The old town of Bolzano":
€ 10.00 adults
€ 10.00 young people (14-18 years)
€ 5.00 guests with the WinePass
guided tour "The venerable buildings in the old town":
€ 10.00 adults
€ 10.00 young people (14-18 years)
€ 5.00 guests with the WinePass
guided tour "The old town of Bolzano with the Museum of Archeology":
€ 10.00 adults
€ 10.00 young people (14-18 years)
€ 5.00 guests with the WinePass
free for children under 14 years
free with the Bolzano Card
More information
Guided tour "Bolzano and the old town" from April 9 to October 29, 2024, every Tuesday (except the first Tuesday of the month) at 10.30 am in German and Italian language.
Guided tour "The venerable buildings in the old town" from April 8 to October 28, 2024, every Monday at 10.30 am in German and Italian language.
Guided tour "The old town of Bolzano with the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology" from April 3 to October 30, 2024, every Wednesday at 2.30 pm in German and Italian language.
Meeting point: Info Point at the Piazza del Grano, duration: 2 hours, reservation: +39 0471 307000.
