Mortadella, a taste and a story from Bologna
Décembre 01 2023
CURIOSITIES BOLOGNA 
Mortadella, a taste and a story from Bologna
If there is one thing that you can’t miss during your journey in Bologna, it’s definitely mortadella, one of the city’s most famous delicacies. This delicious pink sausage, made with fine minced pork meat and lard, enriched with black and pink pepper, was once only intended for the wealthiest people and in the early 1800s it cost three times as much as ham. Fortunately, today it’s a tasty treasure accessible to everyone. Here in the heart of the city lies Hotel Commercianti, a charming structure in the center of Bologna, ready to offer you a typical Bolognese culinary experience that will leave your mouth watering!
The ancient origins
The history of this cured meat is ancient, with the first records dating back to the 1st century AD, a time when Mortadella was already widely spread throughout the Roman Empire. It was originally called "facimen myrtatum", as the pork meat was prepared in a mortar, seasoned with myrtle and other delicious spices. Its charming name is thought to derive from the Latin "murtarium" or "murtatum", meaning ground meat in a mortar.
Success
During the Middle Ages, the famous author Boccaccio mentioned it in the Decameron, while in the 15th century, the Visconti family of Milan offered Bologna a fattened ox in exchange for these delicious slices of salami. Mortadella has become one of the symbols of Italian gastronomic culture, but don't limit yourself to trying it on its own, as it can transform any dish into a palate-pleasing feast: try it cubed or in the form of a mousse as an appetizer, or as a delicious filling for the famous Bolognese 'balanzoni'... furthermore, there's nothing better than a good mortadella sandwich for a snack or a tasty lunch break. And let's not forget that Bolognese mortadella is a DOP product, which means that each slice is carefully produced according to specific rules, making it something special that must be tasted! And don't even think that it's an enemy of diets! You don't have to give up this delight, rich in zinc and minerals, because it's an IGP food with carefully selected and expertly crafted ingredients that are suitable for all consumers: 100 grams of mortadella are only 288 calories!
A delicious curiosity
Bolognese mortadella is traditionally more appreciated when thin sliced than when cut into cubes, in order to fully appreciate its texture and delight. If you want to discover just how thin Bologna mortadella can be, the answer lies in the alleys of the historic center, just a few minutes' walk from the hotel at the Basilica of San Petronio. Simply stop in front of Simoni's charcuterie on via Drapperie and look at the 1720 sign displayed in front of the door. There you will find the precise indication: the slice of mortadella must be so slim that you can see the sanctuary of San Luca through it.
Experiences to try
In our city, you can find many restaurants, taverns, and especially grocery store that will offer you the typical mortadella of the area, but we want to recommend an unforgettable experience just a few steps away from our hotel in the centre of Bologna: walking through the Quadrilatero, the ancient market that still retains all its authentic and unmissable charm, among colorful stands and suggestive venues, you can find the most delicious mortadella and many other gastronomic treasures. To end the day in the best way possible, stop for an aperitif at the Osteria del Sole, the oldest tavern in Bologna, where only wine is served and you bring your own food, enjoying an aperitif in good company! The feeling is that of being transported back in time, to an old time when conviviality and good food were the clear protagonists of everyday life.
Hotel Commercianti for a journey in flavors
The Art Hotel dei Commercianti is the perfect place to fully immerse yourself in the flavors and scents of Bolognese cuisine. Located in the historic center, facing the Basilica of San Petronio, it will allow you to taste mortadella and many other local delicacies during your stay in our city. Staying in the rooms of this boutique hotel located in Piazza Maggiore will be a unique and unforgettable experience. Starting your day in our hotel with a buffet breakfast in Bologna, you can taste our delicious pastries and a wide selection of hot dishes, including cold cuts such as delicious mortadella and locally made cheeses, you'll be ready to discover the history of Bologna in shape and full of energy, walking through the ancient streets, admiring the historic buildings and breathing the suggestive atmosphere that pervades the city. Relax in the beauty of a historical setting, made up of ancient palaces and charming squares. Whether it's for a weekend or a longer vacation, you can't miss the opportunity to savor the authentic flavors of Bologna by staying at the Art Hotel dei Commercianti .
Revenir
If there is one thing that you can’t miss during your journey in Bologna, it’s definitely mortadella, one of the city’s most famous delicacies. This delicious pink sausage, made with fine minced pork meat and lard, enriched with black and pink pepper, was once only intended for the wealthiest people and in the early 1800s it cost three times as much as ham. Fortunately, today it’s a tasty treasure accessible to everyone. Here in the heart of the city lies Hotel Commercianti, a charming structure in the center of Bologna, ready to offer you a typical Bolognese culinary experience that will leave your mouth watering!
The ancient origins
The history of this cured meat is ancient, with the first records dating back to the 1st century AD, a time when Mortadella was already widely spread throughout the Roman Empire. It was originally called "facimen myrtatum", as the pork meat was prepared in a mortar, seasoned with myrtle and other delicious spices. Its charming name is thought to derive from the Latin "murtarium" or "murtatum", meaning ground meat in a mortar.
Success
During the Middle Ages, the famous author Boccaccio mentioned it in the Decameron, while in the 15th century, the Visconti family of Milan offered Bologna a fattened ox in exchange for these delicious slices of salami. Mortadella has become one of the symbols of Italian gastronomic culture, but don't limit yourself to trying it on its own, as it can transform any dish into a palate-pleasing feast: try it cubed or in the form of a mousse as an appetizer, or as a delicious filling for the famous Bolognese 'balanzoni'... furthermore, there's nothing better than a good mortadella sandwich for a snack or a tasty lunch break. And let's not forget that Bolognese mortadella is a DOP product, which means that each slice is carefully produced according to specific rules, making it something special that must be tasted! And don't even think that it's an enemy of diets! You don't have to give up this delight, rich in zinc and minerals, because it's an IGP food with carefully selected and expertly crafted ingredients that are suitable for all consumers: 100 grams of mortadella are only 288 calories!
A delicious curiosity
Bolognese mortadella is traditionally more appreciated when thin sliced than when cut into cubes, in order to fully appreciate its texture and delight. If you want to discover just how thin Bologna mortadella can be, the answer lies in the alleys of the historic center, just a few minutes' walk from the hotel at the Basilica of San Petronio. Simply stop in front of Simoni's charcuterie on via Drapperie and look at the 1720 sign displayed in front of the door. There you will find the precise indication: the slice of mortadella must be so slim that you can see the sanctuary of San Luca through it.
Experiences to try
In our city, you can find many restaurants, taverns, and especially grocery store that will offer you the typical mortadella of the area, but we want to recommend an unforgettable experience just a few steps away from our hotel in the centre of Bologna: walking through the Quadrilatero, the ancient market that still retains all its authentic and unmissable charm, among colorful stands and suggestive venues, you can find the most delicious mortadella and many other gastronomic treasures. To end the day in the best way possible, stop for an aperitif at the Osteria del Sole, the oldest tavern in Bologna, where only wine is served and you bring your own food, enjoying an aperitif in good company! The feeling is that of being transported back in time, to an old time when conviviality and good food were the clear protagonists of everyday life.
Hotel Commercianti for a journey in flavors
The Art Hotel dei Commercianti is the perfect place to fully immerse yourself in the flavors and scents of Bolognese cuisine. Located in the historic center, facing the Basilica of San Petronio, it will allow you to taste mortadella and many other local delicacies during your stay in our city. Staying in the rooms of this boutique hotel located in Piazza Maggiore will be a unique and unforgettable experience. Starting your day in our hotel with a buffet breakfast in Bologna, you can taste our delicious pastries and a wide selection of hot dishes, including cold cuts such as delicious mortadella and locally made cheeses, you'll be ready to discover the history of Bologna in shape and full of energy, walking through the ancient streets, admiring the historic buildings and breathing the suggestive atmosphere that pervades the city. Relax in the beauty of a historical setting, made up of ancient palaces and charming squares. Whether it's for a weekend or a longer vacation, you can't miss the opportunity to savor the authentic flavors of Bologna by staying at the Art Hotel dei Commercianti .