Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, Florence

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is the market hall set in Piazza Ghiberti, where iron and glass give the building its distinctive character. Giuseppe Mengoni designed it, and the market opened in 1873 as part of an urban plan that created new retail places after the old market was demolished. The structure was intended to absorb trading from the small market at Piazza San Pier Maggiore.

Look at the supporting cast-iron columns and the broad grilles in the metal walls and roof: they admit air through the hall. The building has masonry walls rising about 3 metres, with stalls both outdoors and under cover. Although it stopped serving as Florence's general market in 1955, it remains an important local place for food, clothing, and places to eat. Its metal structure was strengthened during restoration in 1984.