Mercato Centrale

Mercato Centrale is also known as the central market of Florence, located at the city center, just two minutes walk from the Galleria dell'Accademia. The indoor market hosts a variety of vendors selling typical Tuscan and Italian food produce: olive oil, pasta, mushrooms, artichokes, capers, the famous limoncello, and much more. The building has a second floor which hosts bars and restaurants. Outside the market, there are vendors selling leather goods and souvenirs. These large market halls were already built in 1874, but are still used by many Florentines to get their fresh groceries. People will find stalls with fish, vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fresh pasta, oil, truffle, bread, et cetera. The products meet the strictest requirements, so they are completely safe to buy and eat.

The Mercato Centrale was designed by Giovanni Mengoni. This architect often rings a bell, as he is also the architect of the well-known Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan next to the Duomo. The building in which the Mercato Centrale is located is made of castings and glass and was previously also used to trade materials such as metal, glass, and cast iron. It is not just a place to eat and shop, but a meeting point where food and culture come together. The historic function of the market as a destination, a meeting point, and a place of discovery, open to the city in a constant dialogue with the urban environment, is rediscovered. This deserves to be one of the best indoor markets in the world.

• Location: Florence, Italy