The Marché de Fer — Iron Market — is Port-au-Prince's most recognisable landmark and its commercial heart. The original cast-iron structure, with its twin Moorish towers and vaulted roof, was imported from France in 1891 and rebuilt in 2011 after the 2010 earthquake destroyed it. The reconstruction, funded by Digicel, restored the original appearance almost exactly.
Inside, merchants sell everything from Haitian paintings and metal artworks to spices, produce, and household goods. The market is a riot of colour, noise, and bargaining. The metalwork — particularly the tin and oil-drum sculptures cut into elaborate shapes — is some of Haiti's most distinctive folk art and makes for an unusual souvenir. The area immediately surrounding the market is the busiest part of the lower city; come with a local guide and stay alert to your surroundings.