The Rotunda

The heart of The Cannery is the massive two-story Rotunda, where the branches of the old factory buildings meet. The circular, domed portion of the building serves as a kind of “lobby” for the market and has traditionally been the site of Cannery Market farm stands and fish stalls since the place opened, offering fresh produce and seafood daily to tourists, locals, and restaurateurs. The second-floor level of the Rotunda, overlooking the bustling market floor below, offers seating for shoppers looking to pause a moment and eat, talk, or simply people-watch or enjoy the view from the second floor windows looking north over the river or out over the city.
The Rotunda dome is painted with a 19th century mural depicting the industry of Emerald City at the time: pioneer lumberjacks and fur-traders taming the wilderness and meeting with local Native Americans to trade, including the vistas of The Elysian Forest and the whitewaters of the Albian River. Below, near the entrance to the Rotunda and therefore the Cannery Market, is a life-sized bronze statue of a cow, facing south into the city, standing on a raised pedestal about a foot off the floor. “Bronze Bessie,” as the locals call her, is the market mascot. More than a few have noted the irony—or even inappropriateness—of having a “golden calf” at the heart of one of the city’s mercantile districts, but most city residents take a sort of perverse pride in Bessie’s controversial presence. Photos with her are considered a must for tourists, and she’s commonly believed to bring good luck to the Market and the city.

Type

Monument, Large

Parent Location

Emerald City