Central Market of Belo Horizonte, Market hall in Centro, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The Central Market is a multistory building where over 400 vendors sell their goods across different sections. It stocks regional products, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, and handcrafted items throughout the space.

Cristiano Machado founded it on 7 September 1929 as an open-air field of simple stalls, a food distribution centre. In 1964 Mayor Jorge Carone put the land up for sale; traders led by Raimundo Pereira Lima bought it and formed a cooperative, on condition that a covered shed be built within five years. With financing from the Araújo brothers of Banco Mercantil do Brasil, four contractors each closed one facade, sealing the 14,000 m² site in 15 days.

The market's patron saint is Our Lady of Fátima: a Portuguese fruit and vegetable vendor, Maria da Conceição Morais, donated the image in 1972 in thanks for a favour granted. A chapel built during the reforms houses it, and the image was displayed for devotees at Easter. The Easter of the Traders, first held on 20 June 1954, grew from a celebration organised with administrator Alcides Régis.

The main entrance faces Avenida Augusto de Lima, and the shed fills a whole block of the city centre, so it is easy to enter from more than one side. The upper level holds a car park. The chapel of Nossa Senhora de Fátima, recognised in 1972, sits by the parking area, and mass there was moved to 7 a.m. so nearby residents could attend.

A dedicated section showcases Canastra cheese, a regional specialty made following old methods by local producers. Visitors can sample different varieties from different makers all in one spot.