Minoranze tedesche a Bologna nella documentazione tardomedievale

Abstract

German Minorities in Bologna in Late Medieval Records. A Preliminary Study of the Economic and Social Implications. This article examines the presence of German migrant labourers in late medieval Bologna, focusing on patterns of mobility, economic activities, and forms of integration between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Based primarily on notarial sources, especially Provvisori and Memoriali , the study reconstructs social networks involving migrants identified as de Alamania . Particular attention is paid to professional activities as a key factor shaping both settlement strategies and interactions with the local population. The analysis reveals a highly differentiated range of experiences, from relatively stable forms of economic integration to precarious conditions characterised by itinerant labour. The essay also addresses issues of linguistic mediation, legal practices, and everyday interactions, including those related to hospitality and food-related occupations. It argues that, while German migrants did not constitute a cohesive or institutionally recognised group, they nonetheless occupied a meaningful position within Bologna’s urban economy. More broadly, the study contributes to current debates on migration and integration in late medieval Italian cities.