This plaque is part of the 'Praça XV' circuit. Click here to see more about this and other circuits.
The Mercado Municipal was one of the city's most impressive architectural complexes, as well as one of the country's largest trading centers. Opened in December 1907, it began operating in 1908, in the space where Praça XV is located today. It was created during the administration of Mayor Pereira Passos, in order to bring order to the food trade, which up to that point had been scattered across several streets downtown. In addition, it officially replaced the old Mercado da Candelária.
Foto: Américo Vermelho - Mercado Municipal
Its prefabricated metal structure was imported from Europe, as were the towers and the clock. Its roughly 200 stalls sold mainly foodstuffs, beverages, and dry goods. It was a bustling space. Its demolition is, to this day, a rather controversial episode. The market was torn down, after all, to make way for the Elevado da Perimetral, in 1963. Its only remaining trace is the structure of the former Albamar restaurant, now called Ancoramar.
Esplanada do Castelo e Mercado Municipal visto de cima - Acervo Biblioteca Nacional