Located in the most ancient part of Bologna, within a Roman street plan, il Mercato di Mezzo has been Bologna's traditional market are for at least two millennia.
While the types of businesses have mostly changed in modern times, the names of the streets have eternalised the traditional businesses that were once thriving. Streets names, such as Pescherie, Calzolerie, Orefici, and Clavature, translate to fishermongers, shoemakers, jewellers, and key makers. This area, which is also known as il Quadrilatero, is located behind Palazzo dei Banchi on Piazza Maggiore, and Piazza della Mercanzia, just south of le Due Torri.
Nowadays, the shops in the area sell mostly delicious-looking fresh products, as well as gourmet Italian food and wine products.