The Mercato Nuovo

Florence's covered "New Market," a.k.a. the "Straw Market"

Mercato Nuovo/Straw Market/Mercato del Porcellino
Via Calimala/Via Por Santa Maria at Via Porta Rossa
Closed Sun–Mon in winter

Mercato Nuovo tours
• Context: Symbols and Legends of Florence (Family Orientation)

Sights nearby
*** Piazza della Signoria [square]
** Palazzo Vecchio [palace/museum]
*** Uffizi [museum]
Piazza della Repubblica [square]
Santa Trìnita [church]
* Via Tornabuoni shopping
*** Ponte Vecchio [monument]

Where to eat nearby
*** I Fratellini [snack]
* Perché No? [gelato]
* L'Antico Trippaio [snack]
Gelateria Carrozze [gelato]
Casa di Dante [meal]
Festival del Gelato [gelato]
* Alle Murate [meal]
** Le Mossacce [meal]
* Coco Lezzone [meal]
*** Il Latini [meal]

Hotels nearby
Relais Piazza Signoria [moderate/premier]
Relais Cavalcanti [moderate]
Relais Uffizi [moderate]
La Torre Residence ApartHotel [cheap]
Hotel Pierre [moderate/premier]

Hotel Torre Guelfa Palazzo Acciaiuoli [moderate/premier]
» More hotels near the Straw Market

ReidsItaly.com Florence Map

» View ENLARGED MAP with all listings

TOURS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS that include Florence

Intrepid Travel 2011 Italy trips
• Best of Italy (15 days)
• Italy Experience (15 days)
• Classic Italy (21 days)
• Italy Family Adventure (14 days)
• Highlights of Italy (8 days)
• Tuscan Express (7 days)

G Adventures 2011 Italy trips
• Ultimate Italy (13 days)
• Italy Culture and History Explored (9 days)
• The Taste of Tuscany (8 days)
• Venice to Rome Adventure (8 days)
• Italy Family Adventure (10 days)

iExplore Italy trips 2011
• Italy Experience (9 days)
• Italy in Style (9 days)
• Magical Tuscany & Portofino Peninsula (10 days)
• Tuscan Delights (8 days)
• Splendors of Italy & Southern France (16 days)

The Mercato Nuovo, Mercato del Procellino, Straw Market in Florence
The Mercato Nuovo (Photo by Dan Kamminga)Florence's old covered "Straw Market" actually dates back to the 11th century, but has been called the "New Market" since 1551, when it became shaded by a lovely Renaissance loggia.

It still has a stall or two selling the straw hats and bags for which it was once famous, but mostly it's tourist souvenirs now.

For such a relatively small market, it has a large number of nicknames. Most Florentines call it the Mercato del Porcellino, or "Market of the Little Pig," after the bronze statue of a boar on the south side—a Renaissance copy by Pietro Tacca (Giambologna's student) of an ancient work in the Uffizi. Rub his shiny snout for good luck.

Tips

Planning your day: The market is pretty tiny, but if you're passing by at least take 15 minutes to admire the loggia and to thread your way between the close stalls, browsing for souvenirs.
The souvenirs are, well, of souvenir quality, but unlike in the shops you can haggle here, and the prices are decent.
Watch out for pickpockets.
There's a fantastic book store—loads of art and history books, and large table with English-language titles in the center—just across the street from the market's eastern flank.
Book a tour: Reserve a spot on a guided tour of Florence, including a zip past the New Market to polish the Porcellino:

     • Context: Symbols and Legends of Florence (Family Orientation)
     • Florence Segway Tour
     • Florence Walking Tour

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This material was last updated January 2011. All information was accurate at the time.

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The Mercato Nuovo

Florence's covered "New Market," a.k.a. the "Straw Market"

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