Mercado Central, Santiago
October 23rd 2010 07:25
After the incredible rescue of thirty three trapped men from the San Jose mine in Chile’s Northern Atacama Desert, President Sebastien Pinera voiced his hope that the country might now be known to the world for something other than a Coup d’État.
It almost certainly should. The picture of determination, solidarity and hope seen in the last three months should certainly help to change an image of Chile as rather uneasy place, coloured by the ousting of Allende and the dark Pinochet days which followed. Perhaps now the modest flow of tourists will swell and many more will enjoy Chile’s brilliant blue skies, its dramatic landscape, its warm and welcoming people, its fabulous pisco sours and its fascinating capital city, Santiago.
If its mix of cultures makes Santiago one of the most colourful and interesting cities in South America, its stunning old French and Italian neoclassical buildings make it one of the most beautiful.
Constructed as part of the remodelling of Santiago towards the end of the 19th century, the Mercado Central, on Puente Street, reflects the wealth generated by the nitrate boom in Chile at this time. The turreted, towered, neo-classical building with its vaulted ceilings and grand entrances was originally intended as an exhibition building for local artists. However in 1872, President Frederico Errazurriz Zanartu decided that it would be Santiago’s Central Market, and so it has been ever since.
Today, the Mercado Central is a landmark in the city. It flourishes as a fresh food market which showcases Chilean seafood and traditional Chilean fare like seafood stews and Conger Eel Broth.
But more fascinating even than the food at the Mercado Central are its people; the vendors spruiking their fare, the housewives haggling, the kids looking longingly, the old, the young, the rich, the poor, the wide-eyed tourists and the myriad, endlessly different faces of Chile.
It almost certainly should. The picture of determination, solidarity and hope seen in the last three months should certainly help to change an image of Chile as rather uneasy place, coloured by the ousting of Allende and the dark Pinochet days which followed. Perhaps now the modest flow of tourists will swell and many more will enjoy Chile’s brilliant blue skies, its dramatic landscape, its warm and welcoming people, its fabulous pisco sours and its fascinating capital city, Santiago.
Mercado Central, Santiago
If its mix of cultures makes Santiago one of the most colourful and interesting cities in South America, its stunning old French and Italian neoclassical buildings make it one of the most beautiful.
Constructed as part of the remodelling of Santiago towards the end of the 19th century, the Mercado Central, on Puente Street, reflects the wealth generated by the nitrate boom in Chile at this time. The turreted, towered, neo-classical building with its vaulted ceilings and grand entrances was originally intended as an exhibition building for local artists. However in 1872, President Frederico Errazurriz Zanartu decided that it would be Santiago’s Central Market, and so it has been ever since.
Today, the Mercado Central is a landmark in the city. It flourishes as a fresh food market which showcases Chilean seafood and traditional Chilean fare like seafood stews and Conger Eel Broth.
But more fascinating even than the food at the Mercado Central are its people; the vendors spruiking their fare, the housewives haggling, the kids looking longingly, the old, the young, the rich, the poor, the wide-eyed tourists and the myriad, endlessly different faces of Chile.
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Comment by Alsu
The exhibition is organized on volunteer basis and we are not going to charge for the entrance or make any money on it. We are aiming at saving architectural heritage in London.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or BVAG group for any further questions.
Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you!
Alsu Galimova, galimova.archi@gmail.com