Mercato Centrale

The market building was constructed in 1874, during the heyday of Florence. At that time, the city was a crossroads of all trade routes not only in Tuscany but throughout Italy. To accommodate all the gastronomic stalls, the city authorities decided to demolish part of the houses in the historic center of Florence and build a new building on this site. The mission was entrusted to the architect Giuseppe Mengoni. For construction, he chose brick and iron, believing these materials reflected the essence of the progressive 19th century.

The Belle Époque style building originally housed 500 trading places. Its construction took 10 years (from 1864 to 1874).

The market began a new life in 2014. At that time, it was renamed Mercato Centrale Firenze, and the interiors of the building were slightly altered. However, the essence, concept, and soul of the historic place were carefully preserved by the new owners.

Other Mercato Centrale markets were opened in 2016 and 2019, located in the oldest trading establishments in Rome and Turin.

The market is divided into several trading areas, each offering a specific range of products. Inside the covered pavilion, mainly food products are sold. This includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, fresh meat and meat products, as well as different types of cheeses, baked goods, traditional pasta, spices, olives, and wines.

The northern part houses a seafood area, where fish and shellfish, both caught near the Italian coast and imported from other countries, are sold. The outer part, or the San Lorenzo market, is mainly represented by pavilions selling handcrafted items, leather goods, clothing, footwear, and souvenirs.

At the Central Market in Florence, one can't only buy groceries but also grab a bite to eat. Among the many stalls, you can find those selling fast food and traditional Italian cuisine dishes.