Via delle Volte (Street of the Vaults) is an ancient street in Ferrara, located between Corso Porta Reno, to the north, and Via Giuoco del Pallone, to the south, in the medieval center of the city. SHORT HISTORY Via delle Volte is characterized by arches built during the 13th and the 14th centuries. Its almost rectilinear layout, though, dates back to the oldest urban development of the city, before the deviation of the Po River in 1152. During the 13th century, the street was known as Via dei Bastardini (Street of Bastards), because it housed the Pious Institute of illegitimate or abandoned children (Pio Istituto dei figli illegittimi o abbandonati), which later became the Umberto I Institute. Later, during the 15th century, the street was called Via del Gambero, and was famous for an old filthy tavern, called Bordello del Gambero (Brothel of the Shrimp), assiduously frequented by prostitutes. In the 19th century, it was also known as Via delle Prostitute (Street of Prostitutes), due to the large number of brothels in the area, and some popular sayings still refer to this name. During the 20th century, the street was also called Via Bersaglieri del Po, in honor of Read more [...]
All Streets in Ferrara
Via delle Volte is one of the most atmospheric streets in medieval Ferrara. Its narrow cobbled route is crossed by numerous brick arches and covered passages that once connected merchants’ houses with warehouses near the former course of the Po. The street preserves one of the clearest impressions of the city’s medieval urban structure.
Corso Ercole I d’Este represents the Renaissance transformation of Ferrara. Created as part of the Addizione Erculea, it runs north from the Castello Estense through a district of palaces and broad perspectives. The street passes the Palazzo dei Diamanti and illustrates the planned urban design introduced under Duke Ercole I d’Este.