I had a great time in Italy this summer. As I said: it's a country that I have really wanted to get to know and it's been a while since I've taken a real vacation... Yes, because of my thesis. So, once the advanced version was delivered, I was free for a few days to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the sun and the summer!
My first stop was Torino. Although it is a relatively small city (well, compared to Lyon and Puebla, my hometown), it's quite lively. If you go to Torino there are lots of things to see and do. Today I'm going to tell you quickly about the local market.
One of the market stalls... they reminded me a bit of the one sin my own country!
My walk through the Mercado di Porta Palazzo
I think that markets are an undeniable window into the culture of a place. It is interesting to observe how the merchants sell their stuff, whether you can bargain or not, the different products they offer, to discover the fruits and vegetables typical of the region... In short, simply strolling through the passageways of the "Tianguis" is quite the spectacle.
The Torino market is located in an area known as Porta Palazzo. That is exactly why its name is "Mercato di Porta Palazzo". Here, you can find practically anything: from food (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, olives, etc. ) to clothes, cosmetics and other "chácharas" (or as a friend would say, "knickknacks").
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At first, I thought I would just give the place a quick tour and then go to the center and continue with the visit of the city. However, I am such a curious person that when I saw that there were clothes and cosmetics stalls, I couldn't help myself and I went to that part. There were several nice outfits that I liked, like a jumpsuit or a dress and a silk blouse. I was tempted to buy some clothes but, as I was just starting my trip, I preferred to keep browsing the different stalls.
I got to one where they had cosmetics. I needed a red lipstick and when I asked for its price (€2! ), I decided that I just had to buy two! By then, I was already a little hungry (you may think that I had only seen clothes and cosmetics, but the truth is that there are so many stalls and I like to see each of them, so it is understandable that I was already hungry... It was almost noon as well! ), so when I saw that there were stalls selling a type of empanadas, well, I didn't take me long and I bought something to calm my stomach so that I could continue to see everything else. I bought a bit of pizza that cost me only 80 cents (in France there isn't even bread that costs you that! ).
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By the way, I remember that at the bread stand there was so much variety... I didn't know what to choose!
Well, with my snack in hand, I arrived at the fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, and that's where most of the atmosphere and market action is. When they walk through the aisles, it's inevitable that they'll talk to you and offer you different products. Also, something that caught my attention was the large amount of variety of fruits and vegetables, more than I have seen in the Lyon market so far! They were saying that they were courgettes... And their flowers! I was very excited when I saw them because in Mexico we prepare our quesadillas with this flower. Too bad I couldn't buy them because I could have prepared a delicious tlalpeño stew.
My dear courgette... with everything and its flower! I want it!
Anyway, with the heat (we were in the middle of summer! ), I started to get thirsty and when I saw pieces of fresh and juicy watermelon, I decided to buy a big slice. It is worth mentioning that Italy is cheaper than France, because my big slice of watermelon only cost me... 80 cents! The kilo cost 60 cents, I think.
Nuri super happy enjoying her tasty slice of watermelon... It was very sweet and juicy!
I made one last purchase: a deodorant and a pair of glasses. Deodorant, because I had forgotten mine at my friend's house and since I was going to be out all day in the tremendous heat, with all the walking I had to do... you can imagine! And the lenses for the same reason: I had a sunbathe that hurt my eyes a little. How much did all that cost me? €2! Yep, one euro for each.
Some interesting facts...
- With more than a thousand sellers, the Mercato di Porta Palazzo is considered the largest open-air market in Europe.
- It is a very extensive market, including both a covered part and another that is (mostly) outdoors.
- The square where this market is located is called Piazza della Repubblica and has an octagonal shape.
- The area where this market is located, Porta Palazzo, is known as such because it is right here where the gateway to the city of Torino was located in the past. Today, the Porta Palazzo area is the "region" that divides the centre of Torino from the outskirts.
Pomegranates, kiwis, blueberries, avocados (ripe, just in time to make a delicious guacamole! ).
How to get there
You can get here very easily: either by taking the tram (which is the most practical), or a bus. If you are in the center, you can easily go by foot. Since Torino is not too big, you can take advantage and stroll through its streets and admire the beautiful buildings of the city.
Timetable
You can go to this beautiful and lively market Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 2:00pm. Or on Saturdays and holidays from 7:00am to 7:30pm. On Sundays don't even look around because you won't find anything, there are no sellers on that day.
One would say it's a stall in a Mexican market...
Conclusion
When you go to Torino, you cannot miss the Mercato di Porta Palazzo. You will be able to immerse yourself in the Italian culture and atmosphere. You can also eat very cheaply and if you need to buy things to prepare something to eat, you can buy everything you need with very little money!
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