SAN LORENZO, CentralMarket

SANT’AMBROGIO market

“PORCELLINO” market

FLEAMARKET

This market is located in the “Loggia del Porcellino” (named after the famous bronze sculpture of a wild boar – a copy of the 17th century original by Tacca which is in the Mu-seo Stefano Bardini), actually the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo (to distinguish it from the old market which was located in what is now Piaz-za della Repubblica); it is also called the Mer-cato della Paglia (“straw market” since it sold traditional Leghorn hats from the 19th century onwards). Each of the corner niches of the loggia (designed by G. B. del Tasso in 1550), are decorated with three 19th century statues of illustrious Florentine figures. In its early days the market was dedicated to the sale of silk and other precious fabrics and was occa-sionally used for military ceremonies. Today it is a tourist market mainly selling leather goods and souvenirs.

Piazza dei Ciompi is named for the wool–workers who were the protagonists of a famous uprising in 1378.

The piazza is graced by the 16th century Loggia del Pesce by Giorgio Vasari, which was moved here from the Old Market: when the area of Piazza Repubblica was cleared, the log-gia was demolished (the columns, capitals and terracotta tiles decorated with fish were saved) and rebuilt here. At the center of the Piazza are numerous roofed stalls that mainly sell an-tiques, modern collectables, costume jewelry, small clothing accessories, prints, books, re-cords and other collectors’ items. On the last Sunday of every month, many other vendors join the traditional stalls and the market exten-ds to the surrounding streets.

DAILY MARKETS

v. Gusciana

S. SPIRITO

S.LORENZO

GIARDINODEI

SEMPLICI

DUOMO

ISTITUTODEGLI INNOCENTIp.tta delle

Belle Arti

Novoli P.zaDalmazia

Giardinodell’Orticoltura

StazioneCAMPO

DI MARTE

Welcome in Florence!

This leaflet is mainly for the many tourists who visit our city. We would like to offer you a uni-que break during what can sometimes be a hec-

tic stay. After admiring our many churches, museums and monuments, we would like to suggest that you make a brief detour to visit our markets that combine delightful settings, history, good food and more.

Take, for example, the 19th century food markets of San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio – built when Florence was the capital of Italy. Both were designed by Giuseppe Mengoni who was inspired by other important European models such as Les Halles in Paris. These markets offer the chance to enjoy a 360° sensory experience. Swarming crowds and buzzing voices are the backdrop for the myriad colors and fragrances of products to admire, buy and… taste on site: in a series of places – such as the amazing brand new 1st floor of the Central Market – you can enjoy the food & wine culture of the local tradition.

This leaflet provides detailed information about the food and many other tourist, antique, plant, local markets held daily or periodically around Florence. We hope this information will be useful to both residents and tourists.

Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence

Mercato centrale

InterIor, ground floorpiazza del Mercato centrale

Monday through fridayh. 7am 3pm.Saturday h. 7am-5pm

055 210214 (Polizia Municipale)

InterIor, 1St floorpiazza del Mercato centrale

Monday through Sunday, h. 10am – 00am

055 2399798www.mercatocentrale.it

exterIorvia dell’ariento e strade limitrofe

everyday, h. 9am – 7pm

5 minutes from Piazza Stazione

c1, c2, 6, 11, 17, 22

San lorenzo – Mercato centrale, entrance: via S. antonino

piazza Ghiberti

Monday through Saturdayh. 7am-2pm

055 2341079 www.mercatosantambrogio.it

5 minutes from piazza Santa Croce

C2, C3

piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti

via Por Santa Maria

everyday, h. 9 am – 7,30 pm

2 minutes from Piazza Signoria

c2

piazza de’ ciompi

everyday: h. 9 am – 7.30 pm on the last Sunday of the month the market is extended to Borgo allegri & Martiri del Popolo

5 minutes from Santa croce, 2

c1, c2, c3

piazza lorenzo ghiberti

1 2 3 4

11

10

1

12 2

7

85

3

9

9

6

9

4

The Mercato Centrale or Central Mar-ket – along with the Market of Sant’Ambro-gio – was built in the late nineteenth centu-ry when Florence was the capital of Italy. It was part of the redevelopment plan for the old city center that included the demo-lition of the Mercato Vecchio or Old Mar-ket, and the creation of Piazza Repubblica. In order to build the new Mercato Centrale it was necessary to open up a large space by tearing down a number of buildings around the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

The results were remarkable: this ele-gant cast iron structure, designed by archi-tect Giuseppe Mengoni (who also designed the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan) is distinguished by the large windows on the upper floor and is surrounded by a loggia with 10 classical arcades on each side, and slender pietra serena columns. The mar-ket was opened in 1874 on the occasion of the International Horticultural Exhibition.

The ground floor is divided into cle-ar–cut areas and hosts over one hundred businesses (butchers, grocers, bakers, fish-mongers, fruit, vegetable and delicatessen stalls) that are separated from each other by internal paths that create the impression of a lively little town filled with small shops. There are also a number of little “tratto-rias” serving a selection of local dishes. The brand new first floor is an amazing “co-vered square” (about 3.000 square meters with 500 seats) where the traditional food & wine culture meets the innovation ; here one can find – beside a restaurant, a pizze-ria, a caffetteria and a bookshop – 12 stan-ds of “artisans of taste” offering a wide choice of products of excellence of the lo-cal tradition. Many events, including co-oking classes, take place here frequently. Near the Mercato Centrale is an outdoor market that mainly sells clothing, leather go-ods, gift items and souvenirs.

Like the Mercato Centrale, this market was also designed by architect Giuseppe Men-goni in 1873. This time the building work was less traumatic since the area was mainly open fields. Although the Sant’Ambrogio market building is smaller than the Mercato Centra-le, the two have some common features. Until the 1960s, the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio was a wholesale fruit and vegetable market; now it is “strictly retail” and the wholesale produce market is located in the Novoli area.

Inside the market are stalls selling food products and a small tavern. The external roofing, which was added at a later date, shel-ters a variety of stalls selling fruit and vegeta-bles, clothing, housewares, plants and flowers. The neighborhood around the market has ma-naged to preserve its original identity whilst at the same time adapting to new trends and fashions.

“MERCATALE”

CASCINEmarket

Some squares of the city center become for some days open air market, dedicated to the labors of farmers and craftsmen. Around ni-nety producers from all over Tuscany come to sell their mostly organic wines, oils, fruits, vegetables, processed meats, cereals, legu-mes, cheeses, honeys and much more.

This market is held in the huge Parco delle Ca-scine. This park, created in the 16th century as an agricultural estate and a hunting reserve for the Medici family, is the largest green area in Florence (160 hectares).Hundreds of stalls (food, fresh fruit and vege-tables, delicatessen, men’s/women’s/children’s clothing, linens, shoes, bags, household items, small accessories for the home and garden, an-tiques) stretch for around 3 Km along the tree–lined avenue on the banks of the River Arno.

“FIERUCOLE““OLTRARNO” ARTS & CRAFT MARKET

“ORTICOLTURA” PLANT MARKET

This lively, picturesque Piazza in the Oltrarno quarter is dominated by the flowing lines of the Church of Santo Spirito, the Renaissance masterpiece designed by Filippo Brunelleschi which hosts famous works such as Michelan-gelo’s wooden Crucifix and the Madonna and Child with Saints by Filippino Lippi. The numerous stands featuring artistic and ethnic crafts are set up in the center of the Piazza and in the adjacent Borgo Tegolaio.

Over 50 nurseries from all over Italy exhibit a vast assortment of flowers and plants in the beautiful gardens of the Società Toscana di Orticoltura (one of the oldest Italian agri-cultural institutions), which also contain the magnificent metal and glass greenhouse built in 1880 to plans by Giacomo Roster.

Until the 19th century, the Mercato della Rificolona was held by the local peasants in Piazza Ss. Annunziata to celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. This old tradition was revived in 1984 with the first edition of the Fierucola del Pane or Bread Festival. Today many different Fierucole are held throughout the month, featu-ring mainly small scale organic farm products and craft items from small family–run farms and local artisans.

“FORTEZZA ANTIQUARIA” ANTIQUES MARKET

“REPUBBLICA” PLANT MARKET

The Fortezza da Basso – or “Lower Fortress” to distinguish it from the Forte Belvedere – is a masterpiece of military architecture. It was built around 1530 and designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger on orders from Alessan-dro de’ Medici.The stalls– where it is possible to buy collec-tors’ items, objects from the past, antique and reproduction furnishings – are set up around the pond and along the paths in the gardens of the Fortezza. During 2015 the market is held at Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Cascine Park.

Every week, this colorful plant and flower market is held beneath the 19th century por-ticoes of Piazza Repubblica.

PIazza della rePuBBlIcaMarch 7, May 2, June 6, September 5, november 7, december 5, 2015

PIazza Santa MarIa novellaapril 4, october 3 & 4, november 28 & 29, 2015

PIazza del carMIneapril 18, May 16, June 20, october 17, december 19, 2015

h. 8 am – 8 pm

viale lincoln, cascine Park

every tuesday: h. 8am – 2pm; 2 Sundays before christmas & every tuesday of december h. 8am – 6pm; 4 Sundays be-fore easter, ascension day, May 1: h. 8am – 7,30pm

by tramway from piazza Stazione

LOCAL MARKETS

There is a network of Local Markets or Mercati Rionali throughout the city and the suburbs. Here it is possible to buy a varie-ty of products, mainly fruit and vegetables, clothing and household accessories.

Marakanda is a European project aiming at creating a network among historic markets in seve-ral cities of the Mediterranean area. It intends to develop ideas and projects to be shared, to find better solutions and management models for the markets, to conso-lidate their importance and impact in the economic, social and touri-stic development of the cities.

The present publication has been funded with support from the Eu-ropean Commission. It reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held re-sponsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

for more info: www.marakanda.eu QuartIere 1piazza lorenzo ghibertivia Benedetto Marcellopiazza de’ nerlipiazza Puccinipiazzale di Porta romanapiazza di S. Spirito

QuartIere 2piazza delle curecampo di Marte, viale fantilargo Monzani, angolo via aretinavia del Ponte rosso, interno area Parterrevia Salvi cristiani, angolo via f. Martinivia e. de amicis

QuartIere 3piazza acciaiuolipiazza Pellegrino artusivia Benedetto croce

QuartIere 4via Maccaripiazza dell’Isolottopiazza Pier della francesca

QuartIere 5via giardino della Bizzarriaviale cadornavia Jervisviale lamivia di rifredi, piazza dalmazia

2015 : Piazza vittorio veneto, cascine Park.

3rd weekend of the month,h. 9 am – 7 pm

055 2705272

Monday through Saturday, h. 8 am – 2 pm. open also on december 8, and two Sundays before christmas

piazza Santo Spirito

2nd Sunday of the month, h. 9 am – 7 pm

d, 36, 37

5 minutes from piazza Pitti

gIardIno dell’ortIcolturavia vittorio emanuele II 4

april 25 – May 1 & 1st weekend of october, h. 9am – 7pm

societatoscanaorticultura.it 055 20066237

13, 25

5 minutes from Piazza libertà

via Pellicceria

every thursdayh. 8 am – 2 pm

c2

3 minutes from piazza del duomo

PIazza SS. annunzIata

1st weekend of the month: September – november & december 8, h. 9 am – 7 pm

6, 14,23

3 minutes from piazza San Marco

PIazza Santo SPIrIto

3rd Sunday of the month, h 9am – 7pm

d, 36. 37

5 minutes from piazza Pitti

www.lafierucola.org

PERIODIC MARKETS

8 7 5 119

106 12

museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it

Visit our museum: here you’ll find the original “Porcellino” (the famous wild boar in bronze by Pietro Tacca, 1633), a series of masterpieces by Donatello, Tino di Camaino, Pollaiolo and a rich collection of “minor Arts”.

a