Isola della Pescheria Historical Timeline

Origins

The island was created in 1856, when the fish market was moved off the streets and onto a purpose-made island in the Cagnan canal for sanitary reasons.

Turning points

Before that the trade had been scattered through the centre; concentrating it over running water solved a genuine public-health problem in a city with no drainage to speak of.

Influential people

The decision was a municipal engineering one rather than an architectural gesture, which is why the structures on it are so plain.

Cultural evolution

The market has operated continuously since, and the bars around it became one of the centres of Treviso's ombra culture -- morning wine drunk standing up.

Present-day significance

It is now the most photographed corner of Treviso and still a working fish market, which is an unusual combination to have survived.