Mercato di Rialto: The Rialto Fish Market in Venice
You’ve taken the obligatory photographs. The view of the Grand Canal in Venice from the top of the Rialto Bridge is certainly a classic sight.
You’ve meandered your way past the Mercato Turistico with souvenir stalls selling anything from Venetian masks to Murano glass jewellery. The Rialto Mercato di Frutta e Verdura, or produce market has lured you with a colourful array of fruit and vegetables you don’t find at home. Now you find yourself face to face with an exotic fish.
This is the Mercato del Pesce, or the Fish Market. Located along the Grand Canal just behind the Rialto Bridge, it is dubbed as Cuore della Città, or the heart of the city.
Through the arched entrances, the market is buzzing with life.
There are tiny eyes staring at you,
and yawning shells with shy scallops or cappesante.
Fish are pouting beside a giant octopus,
one that is almost throbbing with life.
Little crabs, or masanette, are eager to crawl out of their basin.
Crab claws make friends with a lonely fish.
Venetians are set about their daily lives and the merchants do not mind the odd inquisitive visitor with a camera.
They call their John Dory fish S. Pietro.
Whelks are sold by the bagful,
while the shrimps await their turn.
The range of calamari and squid is enticing,
as are the red-tinged barbounia you find in the Mediterranean.
According to a recent report, the Rialto Fish market is in danger of being closed. So if you’re planning a trip to Venice, take the opportunity to visit this historical market before it is relocated.
Market Notes
- Mercato del Pesce, or fish market, is located along the Grand Canal just behind the Rialto Bridge.
- Mercato di Frutta e Verdura, or produce market, is located adjacent to the food markets.
- You can access it from the vaporetto stop, Rialto Mercato.
- You can also reach it from the Rialto vaporetto stop by crossing the canal over the Rialto Bridge.
- The best time to visit is very early in the morning or before lunch.
- The markets are open Tuesday to Saturday.
This article is posted on Gourmantic.com. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012
[...] Mercato del Pesce, or fish market, is located adjacent to the food [...]
Love these photos! Inspiring. I’m looking forward to doing some shopping at the market soon.
Lucky you! :) I would have loved to buy some seafood and cook it after visiting the market!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Val Ward, Food Lover’s Odyssey and Ms Gourmantic, Ms Gourmantic. Ms Gourmantic said: Mercato di Rialto: The Rialto Fish Market in Venice: You’ve taken the obligatory photographs. The view of the Gr… http://bit.ly/hqKOoE [...]
I always love seeing markets in other countries. Such a huge selection! And the last photo is so great. :)
It’s my favourite :) Fish markets always make me wish I lived in the city so I can take some home and cook!
I love your photos! They are so beautiful and well organized. The patterns and colors are amazing! Thanks for sharing, I’ve never been to a fish market, I think it would be a fun thing to check out!
Thanks Jasmine. Visiting local markets when travelling is a lot of fun!
Awww, I just love markets but fish markets are THE best. This one looks fab. What a great setting to be able to wander around in while admiring the stalls. Great photos.
Julia
[...] draped with huge advertisements, ruining any possibility of good pictures, and on to the Venice fish market. This was one of many highlights of the Venice portion of our trip. We had never seen so many [...]