Research material on the history of Baku markets was broadcast on Baku TV from yesterday to today.
Thus, the concept of market has had a special meaning in the East since ancient times. Like many eastern cities, Baku has been famous for its bazaars since ancient times.
Both in the center of Baku and in the surrounding villages there were markets with different names, and even a street called “Bazarnaya”.
It is said that the first bazaar in Baku was founded in the 80s of the 19th century on today’s Istiglaliyet, the former “Nikolayevskaya” street.
At the beginning of the 20th century, luxurious buildings began to be built on “Nikolayevskaya” Street. With this, the market on that street moves to the square near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. One of the markets that comes to mind when we think of “Old Baku” is the “Kubinka” market, which is governed by its own unwritten laws.
This market was located in the “Sovetsky” neighborhood near the “Nizami” metro station. In the past, anyone could find whatever they wanted in that market. The “Flea Bazaar”, which has preserved its existence from the past until now, was founded during Soviet rule. Because live lice are sold in the aforementioned market, they named it “Lice Market.”
At that time, the treatment of jaundice with lice became a kind of fashion, so the path of the buyer looking for this insect necessarily fell on that market. The official opening of the “Sharq Bazar”, built in an unusual architectural style, took place in 1982.
This market also functioned as a restaurant in different years. After reconstruction in 2022, “East Market” continues to operate. At the same time, this market is considered a tourist destination.
In the detailed plot:
What were the old bazaars of Baku used for?
