Come Enjoy The Incredible Architecture And Local Delicacies Of The Mercato Centrale

Located on the beautiful Fosso Reale (Livorno’s answer to the iconic canals of Venice), this wonderful building rises. Built out of industrial materials in an area that has long been connected to maritime industries, it is, however, an artful and lovely combination of iron and glass and brick that dates to the second half of the nineteenth century. It comes from a time in Italy, post-unification, in which the nation sought to reorganise services and stabilise industries and was the brainchild of the mayor at the time, Nicole Costella, and was designed by Angiolo Badaloni. Work began in 1889-1890 and it was quickly completed by 1894, though the vast cost that is incurred were hotly criticised at the time.

Today, it remains in use as a market, filled with stalls selling produce from the freshest of fish to vegetables, cheese to cold cuts, sweets, trinkets, and much more besides. Locals and tourists alike come to enjoy the magical Old World grandeur of the place, shop, snack, and more and, throughout the year it plays hosts to special events such as the wonderful annual Christmas market and other one-off festivals and celebrations. Be sure to drop by the Mercato Centrale you are spending time in this part of Tuscany and experience it for yourself!