Whether you’re early to bed or not, it’s a compulsory early rise to see both the erberia and pescheria (vegetables and fish) markets at the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, which are usually already in full swing by 8am. Trading on the same site since the 11th century, today the Rialto markets offer a large variety of fresh fish caught that day as well as octopi, squid and crustaceans. The produce has been sold in much the same chaotic manner for the past 600 years so you’ve got to be ready to take on the feisty Venetian grannies who will push you aside the second you hesitate when choosing, and your experience will be greatly improved if you try and partake in the stall holders’ banter which gives the market its special character. The varieties of vegetables and fruits are equally as rich as the fish and you can get regional specialities such as red-laced rose radicchio lettuce from nearby Treviso, winter squash and porcini mushrooms in the winter as well as artichokes, wild greens, peas and the famous white asparagus from the Bassano region, in the spring. During carnival, the vendors dress up in costume making the whole experience more festive and colourful. If your alarm doesn’t go off, try to make it down at least for the last hour of trading to get some half price goods as vendors sell off what's left as the market draws to a close.

Written by  Alessia Horwich.

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Incredible, really, but look up when you visit the fish market. All those fish guts tend to draw a lot of birds, and well...wear a hat, or something.

 

Comment posted 9th September 2009 by Robert Evans.

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