Merkantilgebäude
Museum | Bolzano | Trentino-Alto Adige | Italy
The Mercantile Museum in Bolzano, located in the historic center of the city, is a unique museum that illustrates the economic history of Bolzano and its role in trade. The building housing the museum was built in the 18th century according to the plans of architect Francesco Perotti and served for a long time as the seat of the Mercantile Magistracy, a special court for settling disputes between merchants. This court was founded in 1635 by Archduchess Claudia de' Medici and played a central role in the city's regional fairs.
After the dissolution of the Mercantile Magistracy, the responsibility passed to the newly founded Chamber of Commerce, which also used the building for its purposes. In 1997, the Chamber of Commerce finally opened the Mercantile Museum, which not only introduces visitors to the history of trade in Bolzano but also showcases the elegant interior architecture of the building.
The tour of the museum takes visitors through various exhibition rooms equipped with valuable furniture, paintings, and historical documents. These exhibits provide a glimpse into the rich trade history and economic influence that Bolzano had over the centuries. Particularly noteworthy is the presentation of the archive of the trade family Georg Anton Menz, one of the most important trade families of the 18th and 19th centuries in Bolzano.
Another highlight of the museum is the restored medieval cellars, which offer insights into the life and history of Bolzano in the 13th and 14th centuries and serve as important testimonies of the city's history.
The Mercantile Museum thus offers a fascinating journey through the history of trade, architecture, and economics of Bolzano and represents a significant cultural heritage of the city.
