Cover for The Venezianer Pescheria di Rialto

At the time of the Serenissima the sale of fish to the public took place almost exclusively in the two large fishmongers of Rialto and San Marco. The first located where it is still today, the other overlooking the basin of San Marco, near the building of the Mint. The experience of fishermen was held in high esteem by the Venetian Government, which allowed the participation of older people in Council meetings, during discussions on problems concerning the lagoon, the environment and the conservation and protection of fish stocks. The ancient Art of fishermen, from 1227, included two categories: the "Fishermen" and the "Compravendipesce". The fishermen brought the fish, caught in the night on their "bragozzi", to a wholesale point, called Palo di Rialto, where the fish shops divided the product, according to the quality and the retail price.

In the market area, bordered by public buildings, stood: Herbarium, Naranzeria, Beccaria, Casaria, Pescaria, Ruga dei Oresi, Ruga dei Spezieri. The Rialto Market, from the twelfth century onwards, became the commercial center where the most important magistratures related to the trade of the Serenissima, the private and public banks and the "maritime insurance".