Knowing that local Venetians fill their baskets daily at Rialto’s produce market on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Bob and I left the fish market behind in search of the fruit and vegetable stalls. Bursting with colours and aromas, they were a feast for the senses.
Situated in the district of San Polo very near Rialto Bridge, Venice’s fruit and vegetable market borders Grand Canal and Campo Erberia, a charming town square in the heart of Venice.
Bob and I were early enough in the morning to see hundreds of boats arriving from the many islands in the Lagoon.
Bearing loads of fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers, each delivery vessel took its turn at the edge of Grand Canal to unload their bountiful shipments. This is a practice that has been carried out since at least the 13th Century.
The Rialto Market comprises the fruit and vegetable market, fish market and meat market. It has been a hub for the local food trade for centuries and each is within close proximity to the other. Pungent odours from the Rialto Fish Market floated on the air as we went in search of the fruit and vegetable stalls.
The Rialto Market dates to the 8th century, but the existing buildings date from the 16th century after previous structures were destroyed by a fire in 1514. Some of the intricate details on the facades reflect the city’s storied past.
It wasn’t long before we spotted a butcher shop in what is called the Beccarie, the meat market.
Not being accustomed to eating horse meat in Canada, we were quite fascinated to see this product on display and for sale.
Bob and I took great pleasure exploring the warren of narrow streets that crisscross this thriving commercial district. I loved that we had frequent views of the Grand Canal, the conduit for delivery of goods from around the world. This is what made Venice into an international trading power.
The greengrocers were all set up and ready for business when we found our way to the fruit and vegetable market. Occupying space under open-air pavilions, the stalls are the beating heart of the market.
The flavours of Venice are captured in the plethora of fresh products creating a veritable feast for the senses.
Artfully arranged displays of peaches and figs, artichokes, and radicchio, cheeses and spices certainly caught our eyes. The array of colours and aromas peeked our appetite well before lunchtime.
I was really taken with the varieties and colours of shaped pasta noodles. I had never seen anything like them before.
The daily Rialto Market is full of Venetian specialties such as these Sunsweet Zerbinati melons from nearby Sermide, Mantua . Bob and I had seen boxes of these being delivered by boat earlier in the morning.
I was giddy with delight when we came across a display of Giuggiole. This fresh Mediterranean product, also called Jujubes, was the same as the tasty fruit Bob and I had sampled when we joined in a local picnic near Ravenna.
Bob and I were enthralled with the atmosphere in the fruit and vegetable market. There was something musical about the Venetian language as merchants and clientele exchanged stories and went about their business. It hearkened back to an era long ago.
Bob and I could have lingered at the Rialto Fruit and Vegetable Market much longer, but we had plans to book a gondola ride on Grand Canal. Our time spent among the stalls had given us a unique sensory experience. The historical aura, the aroma of spices, bright colours of fresh produce, and the bustle of the merchants all combined to envelop us in a lively and fascinating atmosphere.
Frame to Frame – Bob and Jean