History
In 1900, the colonial administration of Portuguese East Africa opted to expand the capital, then known as Lourenço Marques. This involved further urbanization of the coastal zone near the city, including construction of a new market in front of the gates of the city, not far from the port facilities. In 1900 the project was given to the Portuguese company David & Carvalho, who commissioned the architect Carlos Mendes (1869-1922) with the design. It is said that Mendes based the design on Hamburg’s Alsterpavillon. A large entrance portal with a small tower formed the central access to a large, covered market hall. Small arched niches provided space for fixed sales facilities. To the north, Mendes designed an adjacent open market space. On 19 September 1903, the 18 stalls of the market, consisting of 6 butchers, 6 grocers, 3 fruit shops, 2 bakeries and a bar, were sold. The building was opened on 30 September as "Mercado Municipal Vasco da Gama" in honour of the Portuguese navigator and explorerReferences
{{Reflist, 1 Retail markets in Mozambique Portuguese Mozambique