Since the end of the 19th century, the town's main market has been a favourite place for Rijeka's residents to smile at the thought of a meal. The market is right on the coast, not far from the wooden pier where local fishermen used to unload their catch and sell it in baskets. Fish, shellfish and molluscs were initially sold in the open air, and since 1866 in a fish market.
According to the plans of Izidor Vauchnig, the director of the Technical Department, the construction of two pavilions next to the fish market was started in 1880, where the sellers of other products also found their place. All of this was built on the land that had been filled in. The architect used the most modern solutions of the time, steel trusses and glass. For all other elements, he remained faithful to his previous experiences by decorating the façade with reliefs representing fruits and vegetables.
These three buildings became the backbone of the new district. However, the fishmonger's shop was no longer hygienically adequate for the growing town, and it was decided to build a new one. The Rijeka architect Carlo Pergoli began work just before the First World War. In 1914, the building for fish storage was built and in 1916 the main building was constructed. Pergoli's attraction to the Viennese Secession is evident in the stone decoration by the Venetian sculptor Urbano Bottasso.
These include the capitals, the four fountains in the fish market and the ornaments on the façade. On the pillars and on the façade, Botasso placed many animals, as if he had decided to be a salesman himself. The stone shellfish, octopus, fish and molluscs look lively and encourage passers-by to approach and find something for their table.