Thrift shopping in Riga: Kalnciema Quarter Market
Thrift shopping in Riga: Kalnciema Quarter Market
Some of the best places to visit when in a foreign country are local markets and fairs. There’s no such places where you can learn the most strange and interesting things about folk life,customs and history as a marketplace. As in the Flea market in Udelnaya in Saint Petersburg you can find a similar charming atmosphere at Kalnciema Quarter Market in Riga. Here you can see all kind of things, modern or ancient, common or extremely unsusual and evenmore Latvian local food products!
The historic quarter of Kalnciema in the west side of Riga it’s a must see. It is famous for its unique European wooden architecture which dates back to the end of the 19th century and its authentic lifestyle. In Kalnciema iela, the main street, a local fair takes place every Saturday. Latvian farmers and craftsmen come to sell their goods and handiworks. The market place is open from from 10.00 to 16.00 and besides souvenirs you can buy design objects, glass and wood items, jewelry, clothes and of course delicious home food products as tea, sweet, meat, fish, and in particular the Atis’ bread baked on maple leaves from Vecpiebalga and Jānis Joma’s dairy products. There you can find also a nice selection of Lativian and Italian wines from small wineries’ produce. After walking around the market for a while you will probably feel a little bit hungry, well you will find out that Kalnciema Quarter Market it’s a prefect place to have lunch!
Some market days have special themes that change according to seasonal festivals during which they organize concerts, exhibitions, open-air plays. Creative workshops are organized for children who can also enjoy the colorful merry-go-round. Especially from May to the end of September this fair is one of the favourite entertainment place in which local musicians give live concerts and open-air cinema are held. From May, 24 a small food and crafts market takes place every Thursday as well, from 17,00 to 22,00.
This market is not simply a fair but a meeting and entertainment place where friends, families and artists use to gather together to have good time during spring and summer!
This post was brought to you by Jessica, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
