The Macellum, the covered market of Pompeii, originally dates back to the Samnite period, but was refurbished during the time of the early emperors. It is square in plan, with marble columns in front of the entrance facing the Forum. The building had three porticoes on the north, east and southern sides. The northern portico had an opening in the middle that provided access onto a main street. The eastern portico had three halls, one of which had counters where meat and fish were sold. The southern portico had eleven tabernae for the sale of various dry foodstuffs. The walls of the porticoes were decorated with paintings that depicted foodstuffs sold in the market, such as fish and birds. In the central area was a large pavilion that contained a tank, a fountain and workbenches for scaling and preparing fish.