Casa Isolani

One of the most interesting examples of wooden porticoes remaining in Bologna.
Interesting first of all for the period of its construction, the 13th century, which was the beginning of the Bologna portico period. And also for its over nine metres-plus height, making it one of the tallest specimens in the city (the tallest is the 20th century portico of the Zanichelli headquarters in Via Irnerio which reaches nearly 13 metres).
However, the façade is the result of a 19th century restoration effort by Raffaele Faccioli, during which time the famous three arrows were driven into the intrados of the portico as a joke (two remain today). For the sake of safety, two powerful brick pillars were placed alongside the original wooden structure.

The passage that opens in the façade at the ground floor, the building’s original entrance, is the start of a series of through courtyards that connect this Isolani property to the one located on Piazza Santo Stefano. Known as Corte Isolani, the passage was given over to public use in 1995 and houses businesses today.