Mercado Modelo: Salvador's Historic Marketplace

Located in the Comércio district of Salvador, Bahia, the Mercado Modelo is a historic and bustling marketplace that offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich culture and heritage. Housed in the former Customs House, a neoclassical building dating back to 1861, the market has been a significant commercial and tourist hub for over a century. Inside, you'll find over 200 stalls offering a wide variety of goods, including local arts, handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, and traditional Brazilian instruments like the berimbau. Popular items include wood carvings, painted artwork, Senhor do Bonfim ribbons, and *balangandãs* (traditional pendants). Haggling is common practice, so be prepared to negotiate for the best price. The Mercado Modelo is more than just a shopping destination; it's a cultural experience. You can often witness capoeira performances and listen to the sounds of the berimbau, a musical bow used in this Afro-Brazilian martial art. The market also has two traditional Bahian restaurants, Maria de São Pedro and Camafeu de Oxóssi, where you can savor local cuisine while enjoying views of the All Saints Bay. According to legend, the building's basement was once used as a prison for enslaved Africans. While the catacombs are sometimes open to visitors, reports of ghostly noises have added to the market's mystique. The Mercado Modelo has faced several fires throughout its history, most notably in 1969 and 1984, but it has been rebuilt and restored each time, maintaining its historical and cultural significance.