Mercato del Porcellino

Can't say much about the market, as we got here after it closed, but I can say something about the boar statue! It's pretty cool. In a city full of statues, this one stands out and is an awesome sight.

Feed him a coin and rub his nose for good luck. Not much more I can say about that.

I am a sucker for animal statues. I came here to see il porcellino, the bronze boar statue. It is just a cute little random statue in the market but it was pretty popular.

This is a small little outdoor market. It is covered. They have a good amount of vendors selling clothing accessories and other random stuff.

Not far from the Ponte Vecchio on the corner of Via Porta Rossa & Via Por Santa Maria Calimala, is the New Market. This arcade with its wide Renaissance-style arches, was built halfway through the 16th century to accommodate the silk and precious objects trade. Today, it is a lively marketplace crammed with stalls of souvenir sellers. This street market has been there for a very long time. Again, this is the place to try your hand at bargaining.

Just to think, in this place here modern banking was invented. Well, not quite in this portico, which used to be the main market square in Florence, but in and around here (it was actually the Medici's, who issued Bonds to raise money to fight their wars). This place is still a marketplace, though it is actually more of a tourist site as opposed to actually being the centre of business and trade. It is still pretty impressive though, being a huge covered portico and all that.

GREAT place to do your shopping for leather handbags, scarves, ties and trinkets so long as you don't mind crowds and tight spaces. Try shopping here before going to the shops. Don't forget to compare prices and to negotiate! Someone nearby always has a better price!