At one time fish was sold in an open air corner of the Bruges Vismarkt, but local people complained about the smell and in 1821 the fishmongers were moved to a covered arcade. A colonnade with 126 Tuscan column encloses an open courtyard; it was designed by city architect Jan-Robert Calloigne. In 1852 the original wooden tables were replaced by sloping stone sales banks, a beautiful and very functional design. Fresh saltwater fish are still sold there every morning from Wednesday to Saturday.
Photo: Vismarkt, Bruges, March 2012