Marché en Fer, Iron market building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Marché en Fer is a cast-iron building featuring two large metal halls joined by a central gateway topped with four domed towers. A prominent clock adorns the main facade, serving as a landmark visible from the surrounding streets.
The metal structure was originally designed as a railway station for Cairo before President Florvil Hyppolite purchased it in 1891 and transported it to Port-au-Prince. This made it an example of European industrial architecture transplanted to the Caribbean.
The market splits into two sections: fresh produce fills the southern hall while local handicrafts occupy the northern wing. Visitors witness how residents navigate between these zones daily, choosing what they need from both areas.
The building opens early in the morning as merchants arrange goods on wooden tables throughout the sales area. Visitors should expect crowded conditions and active trading, particularly during the morning hours.
After the 2010 earthquake, reconstruction workers reused original bricks from damaged nearby structures in the rebuilding process. Roof tiles were even imported from the original French manufacturer to maintain historical authenticity.
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