The Quadrilatero is the dense grid of narrow streets immediately east of Piazza Maggiore, where the city's medieval food markets and craft guilds were based. The streets still carry the trade names: Via Pescherie Vecchie (Old Fishmongers), Via Drapperie (Drapers), Via Caprarie (Goat sellers).
Today the area is the centre of Bologna's eating culture. Fishmongers' displays of whole fish on ice sit next to old delicatessens with mortadella the size of artillery shells, and aperitivo bars spill into the alleys from early evening. Tamburini and Simoni are the long-standing benchmark salumerie. The Mercato di Mezzo, a covered market hall on Via Clavature, is the easiest place to graze a quick lunch standing up.