Bologna’s well-preserved historic center is a perfect showcase for its stunning palaces, towers, gates, monuments, and churches. But tucked behind its picturesque porticoes and along the narrow streets and alleys that fan out from Piazza Maggiore, many ancient shops of Bologna also tell tales about the people and culture of the city. Even the signs overhead have stories to tell.

*Margherita Lolli, is actively involved with an organization called Bologna Connect, a non-profit whose goal is to develop and enrich connections between the region and people from other countries across the world.