The 1888 Mercado Artesanías is a somewhat incongruous, black-basalt Gothic structure with a Spanish-fortress motif, including turrets, towers and oversized gates. Despite a major fire in 1966, it was used as a regular market until 1978, when Somoza’s Guardia Nacional all but leveled it.
Today it’s a wonderful place to stroll, with attractive booths separated by wide and breezy walkways, showcasing the highest-quality crafts in the country.
