The Mercado del Puerto is an emblematic gastronomic and cultural center of Montevideo.

According to historians Fernando Assunção and Iris Bombet Franco, in 1865 a joint-stock company was formed by the merchant Pedro Sáenz de Zumarán with the purpose of building a market in the city. For this purpose, land was acquired on the northern shore of the bay, in an area known as El Baño de los Padres, within the block delimited by the current streets Pérez Castellanos, Piedras, Maciel and Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825.

One of the first steps taken by the businessmen was to consult the English engineer R. H. Mesures about the possibility of erecting a metallic structure with iron bases, an innovative method in America but which was already beginning to be applied in Europe. Architecture with iron skeletons would be consolidated worldwide in 1889 with the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Mesures supervised the fabrication of the metal parts in the workshops of K.T. Parkin's Union Foundry in Liverpool and then traveled to Montevideo with a team of expert blacksmiths to direct the work. The original structure was erected on the masonry made by the French builder Eugenio Penot. The construction took three years and was finally inaugurated on October 10, 1868 in the presence of President Lorenzo Batlle and his cabinet.

Initially, the market supplied fruits, vegetables and meats to the ships arriving in the bay and to the wealthy families residing in the area. Over time, the traditional stalls gave way to the now famous restaurants and bars.

Throughout its history, the Mercado del Puerto has been the scene of many encounters and anecdotes. Figures such as Carlos Gardel and Enrico Caruso walked its aisles, while José Enrique Rodó used to drink his "caflitas" in small coffee cups. The painter Pedro Figari also found in the market inspiration for several of his works.

Several apocryphal stories circulated around the origin of the market. It was said that the iron structure was originally intended for a train station in Bolivia, but due to lack of payment, it was auctioned in Montevideo. Another version claimed that the materials belonged to a railway station to be built in a Pacific city and that, after the ship carrying them sank off the coast of Maldonado or Rocha, Montevideo investors acquired them at low cost to build the market.

Today, the Mercado del Puerto has left behind its original function to become an attractive gastronomic destination. In its interior and surroundings, numerous restaurants offer local specialties, highlighting the traditional Uruguayan beef asado, which makes it a must for those who come to Montevideo.

Under its iconic metallic structure, aromas and colors mingle, while artisans, musicians and painters interact with the public, who come to eat, shop or simply stroll around the place. On Saturdays, coinciding with the Paseo Cultural de la Ciudad Vieja, the market comes alive with the presence of musicians, singers and artists. A large number of visitors are distributed among the market and its surroundings, including Peatonal Pérez Castellanos, Peatonal Sarandí and the small square of La Proa, where there is usually a fair of handicrafts, souvenirs and antiques.

Since 2014, the Mercado de los Artesanos has been added to the offer of the place, exhibiting Uruguayan handicrafts made by local artists, which adds another attraction to the experience of visiting these markets.