Mercato della Piazzola (Montagnola)

Mercato della Piazzola, also known as the Montagnola market, is a large weekly open-air market held on Fridays and Saturdays around Piazza dell'Otto Agosto, at the edge of the Montagnola park in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It differs from the city's food markets by focusing on clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, household goods and general merchandise, with some food stalls, giving it a flea-market feel. Most of the goods are inexpensive mass-market items, and quality varies widely, from sound basics to low-grade imitations, so it is not a source of designer or artisan goods. Many stalls sell factory overstock or generic brands rather than souvenirs, which means the proportion of tourist trinkets is low, while the proportion of everyday merchandise is high. Prices are typically in the range of a few euros to a few tens of euros. Bargaining is customary here, more than in Bologna's food halls, and a polite request for a small discount on multiple items is usually accepted. Payment is mostly in cash, and many stalls do not take cards, so visitors should bring small notes. Tax-refund schemes for non-EU visitors do not apply to market stalls. The layout consists of long rows of stalls laid out in the piazza and along the adjoining streets, with clothing and shoes in the central lanes and homewares and accessories towards the edges. Hours are reported as Friday and Saturday from early morning to about 2PM to 6PM, though sources differ, and the market is busiest before noon. The atmosphere is crowded and local, popular with residents and students seeking bargains. Food options on site are limited to a few snack stalls, so visitors usually eat at cafes and bars around the nearby Via Indipendenza and the Montagnola park. The market sits within walking distance of the central railway station and the city centre.