From a handful of stalls to Tasmania’s most visited tourist attraction – it has been some journey for the City of Hobart’s Salamanca Market.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the City of Hobart’s involvement with the market, taking it from a handful of stalls to one of Tasmania’s best tourist sites and has been proudly owned and operated by the city since 1972.
Pre-Covid, attendance was about one million a year, averaging 25,000 during summer each Saturday and 15,000 during winter, with numbers now almost returning to these heady heights.
The market – inspired by open-air European street markets that brought people together – was first mooted in 1971 by Hobart Alderman John Clemente.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Council of Women of Tasmania Inc. was one of the original active contributors to making the market a success.
Through its history the market has been a coming together of many ideas, partners and contributors.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds grandmother, Isobel Reynolds, was one of the first stallholders at Salamanca.
“I’m so proud to have a direct link with such a wonderful Hobart and Tasmanian event,” Cr Reynolds said.
“Salamanca is special because it’s held in one of Australia’s most beautiful streets and the quality of the products is so high. I’m biased I know, but I do think it’s by far the best market in Australia.
“To see the market blossom from a few stalls down near the silos to now running all along Salamanca Place and celebrating its 50th birthday is a source of great pride for all the people of Hobart.”
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Luke Martin said the market was an iconic part of Hobart’s visitor experience.
“People plan their Tasmanian travel itineraries around being in Hobart on a Saturday to attend the market,” Mr Martin said.
“The great thing about Salamanca is it has stayed true to itself. It places a high premium on the types of stallholders that can be displayed and the premium content for sale.
“It means it is synonymous with the Tasmanian brand but also something that locals love and the best visitor experiences are always the things locals love.
“It is not a tourist market, it is very much a local market and tourists love it for that reason.”
Salamanca Market Stallholders’ Association president Emma Hope has been involved in the market all her life.
“For 50 years Salamanca Market has been the economic and cultural heartbeat of Hobart,” Ms Hope said.
“Not only does it provide a showcase of 300 of Tasmania’s most innovative and creative small businesses but it is also Tasmania’s number one tourist attraction drawing in visitors from all over the world.
“My late mother Sue Hope was an original stallholder at this great market. Some 50 years ago she lined up overnight outside Town Hall and was proud to receive one of the first licenses to trade.
“I have fond memories of growing up at Salamanca Market, making cubby houses under mum’s trestle tables with other market children.
“It was a very different market in those days, concentrating largely on second-hand goods, with mum selling retro and vintage clothing, a tradition I carry on to this day.
“The market has grown to be a showcase of everything that makes Tasmania unique and a platform for local makers and craftspeople to sell their wares.”
A commemorative plaque will be unveiled to mark the milestone on Saturday.
The day will be celebrated with special performances from market identities such as guitar virtuoso Cary Lewincamp, Latin American band Arauco Libra (pictured) and contortionist Samora Squid, as well as entertainment by the Sands Family Circus and traditional Hungarian storyteller Tasmas.
