Fortaleza Central Market

The Mercado Central de Fortaleza (Fortaleza Central Market) is a historic public market in the Centro district of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, owned by the municipal government. It is one of the largest handicraft markets in Latin America and a major cultural and tourist landmark in the city. The market traces its origins to 1809, when the municipal council authorized the construction of a wooden market for the sale of meat, fruit and vegetables. After the sale of fresh produce was banned on the premises in 1931, the market gradually shifted to artisanal and decorative goods, especially clothing, bed and table linens, cashew products, and typical drinks and sweets. Following a full renovation and reopening in 1975, and after years of deterioration, a new building was constructed in the 1990s. The current market, designed by architect Luiz Fiúza, opened on 19 January 1998 on Avenida Alberto Nepomuceno, next to the Fortaleza Cathedral and the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção. It houses 553 boxes across five floors, one of which is a parking level, with a total built area of 9,690.75 square meters. Today the market is known for leather goods, lace and embroidery, bobbin lace, T-shirts, souvenirs, jewelry, and regional foods such as cashew nuts, cachaça, liqueurs, sweets and rapadura. It also has four restaurants and two snack bars serving typical northeastern Brazilian food. The market is managed by the Associação dos Lojistas do Mercado Central (ALMEC) under municipal law, and its official website advertises more than 600 shops, 400+ parking spaces with valet service, ATMs, and full accessibility.

The history of the Mercado Central de Fortaleza begins in 1809, when the municipal council (Câmara Municipal) authorized the construction of a wooden market for the sale of meat, fruit and vegetables. In 1814, the original installations were demolished and a new building was erected under the name Cozinha do Povo (People's Kitchen). In 1931, the sale of meat, fruit and vegetables inside the building was prohibited, and the space was taken over by vendors of utilitarian and decorative handmade products, especially clothing, bed and table linens, cashew derivatives, and typical drinks and sweets. Several renovations followed. In 1975, the market was completely renewed and reopened, occupying an area of 1,200 square meters. At that time it sold all kinds of handicrafts produced in Ceará, especially bobbin lace, hammocks and ceramics. During this period, Fortaleza was developing as an important tourist destination in Brazil, and the Mercado Central became a cultural attraction. After many years without renovation, by the 1990s the facilities were precarious and the building was at risk of fire. Amid demands for renovation and growing demand for the market's products, which had become saturated, a new space was built. Its administration was transferred to the Associação dos Lojistas do Mercado Central (ALMEC) by law no. 8073 of 21 October 1997. On 19 January 1998, the new Mercado Central de Fortaleza building was inaugurated on Avenida Alberto Nepomuceno. The facilities were designed by architect Luiz Fiúza. The new market houses 553 boxes distributed over five floors, one of which is a parking level, with a total built area of 9,690.75 square meters. Today the shops offer leather goods (sandals, shoes, hats, bags and luggage), lace and embroidery on clothing and bed, table and bath linens, bobbin lace, T-shirts, souvenirs such as mini-jangadas, jewelry, gold items, decorative articles, and many other items. The market is owned by the municipal government of Fortaleza and is located in the city center next to the Fortaleza Cathedral and the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, on the left bank of the Riacho Pajeú. According to its official website, the market now has more than 600 shops, four restaurants and two snack bars serving typical northeastern food, 400+ parking spaces with valet service, ATMs, and 100% accessible facilities.

• 1998

  New Mercado Central building inaugurated on 19 January on Avenida Alberto Nepomuceno.

• 1997

  Law no. 8073 of 21 October transfers administration to ALMEC.

• 1975

  Market fully renovated and reopened, occupying 1,200 square meters.

• 1931

  Sale of meat, fruit and vegetables prohibited; market shifts to artisanal and decorative goods.

• 1814

  Original installations demolished; new building erected under the name Cozinha do Povo.

• 1809

  Municipal council authorizes construction of a wooden market for meat, fruit and vegetables.

A historic municipal market and cultural tourism destination specializing in authentic Ceará handicrafts and regional products, one of the largest of its kind in Latin America.

• Leather goods

  Sandals, shoes, hats, bags and luggage made of leather.

• Lace and embroidery

  Bobbin lace, filé, labirinto, and embroidered clothing and linens.

• Cashew products

  Cashew nuts and derivatives.

• Regional drinks and sweets

  Cachaça, liqueurs, sweets and rapadura.

• Handicrafts

  Items in leather, wood, straw, ceramics, and souvenirs such as mini-jangadas.

1. 1Home | Mercado Central | Fortalezamercadocentraldefortaleza.com.br
2. 2Sobre | Mercado Central | Fortalezamercadocentraldefortaleza.com.br
3. 3Mercado Central de Fortaleza - Wikipediapt.wikipedia.org
4. 4Fortaleza Central Market - Wikidatawikidata.org