In the middle of the Old Town of Bolzano stands the historic building of the Mercantile Magistrate. Archduchess Claudia de' Medici granted Bolzano the privilege of its own trade court in 1635 to quickly settle disputes between merchants from different cities. Bolzano was a trading centre of international importance at that time: Merchants from cities like Augsburg and Venice met here for the traditional Bolzano trade fairs.

The building itself was constructed by Giovanni and Giuseppe Delai between 1708 and 1727, based on plans by the Veronese architect Francesco Perotti. It is a remarkable example of Renaissance architecture in South Tyrol's capital. After the dissolution of the Mercantile Magistrate, the building served for many years as the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce. Today, it houses the Mercantile Museum (Merkantilmuseum) and tells the story of Bolzano's history as a trading town.

Even from the outside, the museum impresses with its wide staircase and magnificent portal. Inside, valuable furniture awaits, including the work of master carpenter Anton Katzler, paintings by Tyrolean Baroque artists, original documents and records, as well as fabric sample catalogues.

Particularly worth seeing are the magnificent rooms, above all the Hall of Honour, which once served as the courtroom. In recent years, the museum tour has been extended to include a descent into the medieval cellar vaults. How to get there: The Mercantile Museum is located in the Via Argentieri road, very close to the Bolzano Arcades and the central Piazza Walther square. A multi-storey car park and the stops for the city bus lines are available at the Piazza Walther.