Centrale Markt, Market hall at Waterkant, Paramaribo, Suriname
Centrale Markt is a market hall on the waterfront in Paramaribo with two distinct levels serving different purposes. The ground floor holds fresh food products while the upper level houses retail merchandise and everyday goods.
The market was constructed beginning in 1959 following a city council decision and completed in 1969 with European funding support. This development addressed the growing need for organized commercial space as the city expanded.
The market brings together people from different communities across Suriname, reflecting how the country's diverse population shares daily spaces. Local products, languages, and trading customs visible throughout showcase the multicultural reality of city life.
The market operates Monday through Saturday with vendors conducting business throughout the day. Morning hours bring the most activity as fresh deliveries arrive by truck and boat along the river.
The building features a distinctive double-arched roof that enables natural air flow to manage tropical heat and humidity. This design proves especially effective given the strong river currents and tidal changes near the waterfront location.
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