Modena is a city famous for its balsamic vinegar, opera, and sports cars (Ferrari and Lamborghini are both headquartered in the city). For many, however, it is most well-known as a key foodie destination that is a must-see for food-lovers who are exploring Italy as, in addition to balsamic vinegar, it is a place that produces two other important Italian heritage foods: parmesan cheese and prosciutto ham. If you are interested in stocking up on the highest-quality Italian ingredients to enjoy at home and in trying some of the most delicious food made with said ingredients while holidaying, then finding a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna and planning a culinary-themed day trip to Modena is an absolute must. Not only will you eat well throughout the entirety of your time in the region but your visit to Modena will give you ample opportunity to stock up on some of the best of the best foodie bits in all of Italy! And if you're looking for the best place to do exactly that then we highly recommend a visit to the Mercato Storico Albinelli, a covered historic food market that is opened six days a week and boasts amazing stalls, sellers, and products!
Built between 1929 and 1931, the Mercato Storico Albinelli is named after Mayor Luigi Albinelli (1900-1908) who began the redevelopment of the area that was once known as the Contrada della Carceri and the legitimising of the markets of Modena. In order to provide merchants with an enclosed space to sell their wares, to prevent congestion and traffic issues, and to monitor trading, a designated area for a permanent market had been proposed since the second half of the nineteenth century and the Mercato Storico Albinelli was the ultimate realisation of this plan.
Inaugurated on the 28th of October 1931, the pretty market is enclosed by a wrought iron fence and executed in an Art Nouveau style with a fountain at its centre surmounted by a statue of a woman selling fruit that was made by Giuseppe Graziosi, the most appreciated Modenese sculptor of the early twentieth century. The oldest covered market in Modena, the Mercato Storico Albinelli is considered one of the most beautiful markets in all of Italy and has been recognised as a monument of national interest since 1990. Renovated on multiple occasions throughout the decades, the market celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and still looks just as appealing today!
However, while the cultural value of this charming space is all well and good, a visit to the Mercato Storico Albinelli is, of course, all about the food! Attracting around 30,000 visitors each week, this foodie hub is where you'll find small shops selling meat, fish, cured meat, cheeses and more, framing a square where there are stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, the market is home to shops selling bread and baked goods, sweets, grains, wine, flowers, newspapers and magazines, fresh homemade pasta, jams, oils, spices, organic goods, and other typical local products and eateries such as the characteristic Schiavoni Bar, where you can grab an excellent sandwich and some coffee, as well as five other restaurants.
Food-lovers from all over the globe name a visit to the Mercato Storico Albinelli as a highlight of their trip to Modena, wishing they had something like it close to home, recounting tales of the impossibly fresh fruits and giant blocks of parmesan brought back home in suitcases, and noting it as an excellent place to snack as you shop. So, if you are considering a villa in Emilia Romagna and you're looking to plan a trip to Modena, be sure to take time out to swing by this excellent market!
Mercato Storico Albinelli
Main entrance from via Luigi Albinelli, 13 in Modena.
Other entrance from via Mondatora or piazza XX settembre.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours:
Market - Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 3pm; Saturdays from 7am to 3pm
Restaurants - Monday to Saturday 10am / 2.30pm; Wednesdays and Sundays from 6pm to 10pm;
Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to Midnight.
Inaugurated on the 28th of October 1931, the pretty market is enclosed by a wrought iron fence and executed in an Art Nouveau style with a fountain at its centre surmounted by a statue of a woman selling fruit that was made by Giuseppe Graziosi, the most appreciated Modenese sculptor of the early twentieth century. The oldest covered market in Modena, the Mercato Storico Albinelli is considered one of the most beautiful markets in all of Italy and has been recognised as a monument of national interest since 1990. Renovated on multiple occasions throughout the decades, the market celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and still looks just as appealing today!
However, while the cultural value of this charming space is all well and good, a visit to the Mercato Storico Albinelli is, of course, all about the food! Attracting around 30,000 visitors each week, this foodie hub is where you'll find small shops selling meat, fish, cured meat, cheeses and more, framing a square where there are stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, the market is home to shops selling bread and baked goods, sweets, grains, wine, flowers, newspapers and magazines, fresh homemade pasta, jams, oils, spices, organic goods, and other typical local products and eateries such as the characteristic Schiavoni Bar, where you can grab an excellent sandwich and some coffee, as well as five other restaurants.
Food-lovers from all over the globe name a visit to the Mercato Storico Albinelli as a highlight of their trip to Modena, wishing they had something like it close to home, recounting tales of the impossibly fresh fruits and giant blocks of parmesan brought back home in suitcases, and noting it as an excellent place to snack as you shop. So, if you are considering a villa in Emilia Romagna and you're looking to plan a trip to Modena, be sure to take time out to swing by this excellent market!
Mercato Storico Albinelli
Main entrance from via Luigi Albinelli, 13 in Modena.
Other entrance from via Mondatora or piazza XX settembre.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours:
Market - Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 3pm; Saturdays from 7am to 3pm
Restaurants - Monday to Saturday 10am / 2.30pm; Wednesdays and Sundays from 6pm to 10pm;
Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to Midnight.
Photo credit: Fabrizio Zucchi / CC BY-SA 3.0