Hietalahti Antique Market

Hietalahti covered market, built in 1903 by the famous Finnish architect Selim Arvid Lindqvist, is a real architectural monument. Among antiquities lovers and collectors, until recently, it was known as the center of the antiques trade.

The successful location of the market contributed to the fact that, since its opening, there was a constant brisk trade in food. This continued until the 2000s. Reconstruction followed, after which the market became a trading place for organic products. It turned out to be unprofitable, and as an experiment, the market was decided to turn into an antique one.

Merchants of rarities, art and furniture filled the trading pavilions of the market. The works of Finnish masters and art products brought from other countries were widely represented here. The market turned into a kind of museum, where exhibits could be viewed for free, and in their value they were sometimes not inferior to museum ones.

Unfortunately, over time, the number of buyers of expensive antiques has decreased, and according to numerous requests of local residents, the market has been made grocery again since the summer of 2012. But lovers of antiquity there is no particular reason to be upset - on the square in front of the covered market for many years there is a flea market. It works all year round, and you can find many amazing and interesting things here. The main thing is to take your time, look carefully, and perhaps you will become the owner of a unique porcelain cup or other cute souvenir of venerable age.