Introduction:
 Albert Market is in Banjul on Liberation Avenue and is the capital's main urban market.
It was named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert Saxe-Coburg
and Gotha. It is essentially an emporium that is
pungent, lively and bustling with a large selection of
vividly designed fabrics, carved wooden masks and fresh produce which
is packed to the brim. All this is laid out within a labyrinth of alleys
and hundreds of rickety stalls and purpose built shops. It is open from 8am to
7pm.
History:
The market used to be called the
Colonial Engineer’s Yard and later re-named the Liberated African Yard.
It stood on what used to be called Wellington St. which was later
re-named Liberation Avenue.
Description:
Really there are 3 distinct markets here.
The wholesale and retail market, that sells everything the local
people could possible want, from clothes to hardware.
The produce market, selling fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and dried
goods.
The tourist market and craft stalls, catering for the tourist trade,
the size of it makes it impressive and there is plenty of choice.
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You may get frustrated by the crowds and the jostling
before you have seen it all, but you are only moments away from
the river or the African heritage centre for a few moments to
recover.
If you are visiting Banjul, the market is a must but don't just
visit for the market, Serrekunda is just as good if not better.
The river bank is only a few metres away behind Albert Market
and this is a different world. Pirogues cut across the river, the large ferry
boats come and go and a whole mini community lives on the foreshore
in make-shift dwellings.
Contact Details:
PO Box 996
Banjul
Phone: 4373080
Pics credit
flickr.com
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