market · Itajaí, SC
Mercado Público de Itajaí
Built in 1917 as the first project of superintendent Marcos Konder, it had its eclectic facade simplified into Art Deco lines after a fire in 1936. Today it is a center of popular culture, with crafts, traditional food and live music.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mercado Público de Itajaí
The Mercado Público de Itajaí (public market), also called the Mercado Velho, is one of the city's most beloved historic buildings. It is downtown and now serves as the Centro de Cultura Popular, run by the Fundação Cultural de Itajaí.
The market opened in 1917, under municipal superintendent Marcos Konder. The original facade was eclectic, influenced by German immigrants. After a fire in 1936, the pediments were removed and the building took on the straight Art Deco lines you see today. The building is listed by both the city and the state.
The shops facing the sidewalk and the inner courtyard sell regional crafts, and there are bars and restaurants with snacks and traditional dishes, many of them seafood-based. The courtyard has a fountain in the center and hosts live music and cultural gatherings, especially on Saturdays.
It is a relaxed outing on flat ground, good for all ages. It is worth combining with the Igreja Matriz and the historic center, which are nearby.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours, with time to browse the shops and eat something.
Best time
Year-round; Saturday around midday is the liveliest time, with music and busy bars. In the late afternoon the light makes the facade look beautiful for photos.
How to get there
It is on Praça Félix Busso Asseburg, on Avenida Ministro Victor Konder, in downtown Itajaí. You can walk from downtown; by car, there are parking spaces nearby, and several city bus lines run through the area.
Tip
Go on a Saturday to catch the live music in the courtyard and try some seafood snacks. Check opening hours on the city's official tourism website.
Official website
A look at the place
Mercado Público de Itajaí in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mercado Público de Itajaí
Is there an entrance fee for the Mercado Público de Itajaí?
No, admission is free. You only pay for what you buy at the shops and bars.
What is the best day to visit the Mercado Público de Itajaí?
Saturday, around noon, is usually the liveliest, with live music and cultural gatherings.
What is there at the Mercado Público de Itajaí?
Regional craft shops, bars and restaurants serving snacks and traditional dishes, and an inner courtyard with a fountain where musical performances take place.
When was the Mercado Público de Itajaí built?
It opened in 1917. After a fire in 1936, the facade was given the Art Deco style it has today.
Can you walk there from downtown?
Yes. The market is on Praça Félix Busso Asseburg, in downtown Itajaí, near the Igreja Matriz (main church).