The Mercato Coperto at the end of the Via Carducci began its operation in November 1936 as a weather-protected replacement structure for two open-air markets: those of the nearby Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Goldoni. The demolition of several blocks of houses ordered by the city administration for traffic reasons resulted in an extension (now Largo Barriera Vecchia - not Piazza). The reorganization measures planned for this place by engineer Camillo Jona, the head of the city's own technical planning office, and in connection with a new area and development plan were not implemented in their entirety. The Mercato Coperto therefore marks an urban residual space without being able to redeem the urban planning questions of the meaning and orientation of the place raised by the demolition.
The Covered Market of Trieste was born as a gift to the venderigole, the Trieste sellers, from Sara Davis, daughter of a wealthy English merchant. Sara had noticed the hard life, outdoors under the sun and the Bora, to which the venderigole are exposed at the market in Piazza Goldoni. With the money from his legacy, the Municipality then had the current market built, designed by the architect Camillo Iona.
Inaugurated in 1936, it is still extremely modern and functional today, characterized by large light windows. The market stands on a triangular area and has a nail plan; the two floors are occupied inside by a large hall, in the manner of the Trajan markets. In the lowered partition arches there is a precise reference to the Victoria's halls, the ship, an example of advanced design, which the Lloyd Triestino had launched in 1931.
The functionality, which dominates the internal hall of the market, is also represented by the helical connecting ramp between the first and second floors, which was to be used for the circulation of wagons for the supply of goods. This solution that has its historical roots in the Vignolesque ramps of Caprarola, but which had been "reinvented" by Mattè Trucco in the Fiat Lingotto in Turin (1926) and later present in all the garages of Europe and America. The ramp is contained in an angular turret, designed by Iona to solve the problem of the acute angle that was formed by the meeting of the two streets on which the long sides of the building were placed.
A striking tower-like front characterizes the Mercato. Inside the tower there is a spiral access ramp for the transport of goods on carts. The central hall has two levels: a slightly elevated ground floor and a gallery. Next to it is the house of the guard. (Total usable area 2378 m2). The very popular market is mainly used by fixed vendors who sell fruit, vegetables and other vituals, and also by seasonal sellers (e.g. mushrooms). The stylistic guiding principle is modern, functionalistic: i.e. worthy and simple. The large glazing, the helical ramp on the front, the raised front with the turret for the lighthouse, make the market a modern building that differs from the neighboring buildings. The construction is made of reinforced concrete. Great importance was placed on technical efficiency: easy manipulation, clear access routes for visitors, delivery and storage.
The ribbon windows guide the growing trend of the turret until it reaches the peak, marked by a luminous clock. The solution that makes the corner the pin of the building had already been tested at the beginning of the twentieth century by John Soane in the Bank of England, demonstrating a search for the adaptation of visual rhythms to organized spaces, according to contemporary use.
The Covered Market is the prototype of the shopping center. The commercial activities are arranged on 2 floors. On the ground floor you will find groceries related to the fruit and vegetable store and a meat sale. The first floor is dedicated to clothing and fashion accessories.
