Ferrara’s Historic Shops: Where the City Keeps Telling Its Story

Discover the shops, workshops and family-run businesses that preserve Ferrara's traditions, craftsmanship and local identity.

In Ferrara, history is not found only in its monuments, Renaissance palaces, or the ancient walls that embrace the city. There is another, more discreet yet equally precious heritage that continues to live on every day behind shop windows, workbenches, and signs that have been passed down through generations.

These are Ferrara’s Historic Shops: businesses that have been part of everyday life in the city for decades, and in some cases for more than a century, helping to shape its unique identity.

Stepping into a historic shop means much more than making a purchase. It means meeting people who preserve skills, traditions, and craftsmanship handed down over time. It means discovering original furnishings, period details, and atmospheres that reveal an authentic Ferrara—one that is still very much alive today.

Walking through the streets of the historic centre, you will encounter places that are woven into the city’s collective memory: Enoteca al Brindisi, considered the oldest wine tavern in the world; the historic Birraria Giori at the foot of the Estense Castle; Pasticceria Carli in the heart of the former Jewish Ghetto; Casa del Guanto in Galleria Matteotti; La Bottega del Formaggio in Via Cortevecchia; and Merceria Pesaro beneath the arcades of Piazza Trento e Trieste.

Alongside these iconic businesses, Ferrara is home to many artisan workshops, traditional shops, and food establishments that remain important landmarks for both residents and visitors. Bakeries, wine shops, fashion boutiques, specialty food stores, craft workshops, and family-run businesses all contribute to the story of a city built on relationships, expertise, and passion for quality work.