- Address: San Pablo, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile;
- Official page: mercadocentral.cl;
- Phone: +56 2 2697 3779;
- Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 19:00.
In any city in the world there is a market where everything is sold - from food products to artisan goods. It is there that tourists hurry in the hope of finding original souvenirs at a lower price than in boutiques. In Chile's capital, Santiago , the Mercado Central Market has long been built, which has become the main outlet for both the local population and tourists.
Mercado Central Market - description
The original building did not survive until today, it burned down in 1864. Later the building was built already in 1868, intending to hold exhibitions in it. But by coincidence, the idea did not take root, and the premises were allocated to the market. In its current form, it is considered a vivid example of the architecture of the XIX century. Its framework consists of metal structures and concrete columns under a multi-stage roof of complex shape. The central part of the roof is made in the form of a tower with a spire. The facade of the building is the brick walls erected around the frame.
Main features of the market
Chile is famous for its seafood, which you can see and buy in the Mercado Central Market. In trying to learn and pronounce the name of some of the products you can spend a whole day, so they are exotic. In addition to seafood, fruits and vegetables are sold in a huge variety, the prices for them are relatively lower, which in stores. But tourists are attracted not only by the abundance of food, but also by the opportunity to try new dishes. The central market of Mercado is full of cozy restaurants, nice cafes, in which they cook with pleasure traditional Chinese cuisine . Here you can just come with the food you just bought and ask to cook delicacies from it.
Those who have enough food in the hotels and restaurants of the city, come for the products of local artisans, their shops are also in the Central Market of Mercado. To get around the whole building, view all the goods, rest in a cafe, it will take several hours.
Local people come to the market on weekends, trying to find goodies, and tourists visit Mercado not even for souvenirs, but simply to enjoy the unusual atmosphere and feel the flavor of Chilean trade. There is also another attraction of Santiago - the mountain of Santa Lucia , so you can go for a walk in the park and admire the city from the viewing platforms.
How to get to the market?
Since the building of the Mercado Central Market stands out against the background of others, it will not be difficult to find it. In addition, as the name says, it is located in the central part of the city. The nearest metro station is Cal y Canto, but you can get there by bus, stopping at Costanera Norte.