The first building of Palazzo della Mercanzia was constructed in 1294 but we do not know who designed it. However in 1382 the town council decided on to build a place to house the tribunal of merchants, paid for by funds from various rich guilds. Two architects were commissioned Lorenzo da Bagnomarino and Antonio di Vincenzo, who was also responsible for the designs of the basilica of San Petronio. The building was completed in 1391 and the tribunal began its work, passing judgements, as well as being responsible the maintenance of the Navile canal , the auditing of merchants’ books and keeping an eye on commercial mediators and brokers.

It was constructed of brick and white marble and many artists have worked on the palace over the years resulting in a variety architectural styles. The pointed arches are in a Gothic style, whereas the covered balcony and the capitals incorporate floral elements in a more classical style. The marble statues in various inches on the façade or produced in the 14th century. In central niche you can see a statue of Justice with sword and scales. The originals of all of these statues are conserved in the Museum of Mediaeval Art.

The clock of Palazzo della Mercanzia

The clock above the main entrance is one of the most characteristic in the city. Between 1888 and 1890 Alphonso Rubbiani restored to the façade and came up with the idea of using the symbols of the four evangelists to decorate the corners of the clockface. On 25 September 1943 part of the building was destroyed in a bombing raid but in 1947 it was faithfully restored,. Nowadays the palace is the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce of Bologna.

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