The centre of Treviso forms one of the most delightful little towns north of Venice. Its riverside quays have now been focused on a new fish market that doubles as an urban park

Architectural Review, The, Feb, 2004 by Peter Blundell Jones

A fish market has occupied a river island in Treviso, a small town north of Venice, since 1841. The setting had become decrepit and there was talk of demolition, but the commune decided on renewal. Architect Toni Follina gently reshaped the island in a form reminiscent of a barge, repaved it with local stone which can be hosed down easily, and provided new shelters with tiled roofs on each side for the fish stalls.

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Live fish are kept in baskets in the river, made accessible to stall-holders by several flights of steps. The central fountain provides cleaning water as well as giving a ceremonial focus, and a lightweight glass roof gives a strong sense of centre. Outside market hours, the island serves as a park with trees and green banks round the edge, while bridges at both ends allow a promenade across it.

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