The Udelnaya Flea Market (Bloshinyy Rynok Na Udel'noy), called "the Udelka" by the locals, is described as "the social market for the poorest of the poor". It is obvious that for many of the sellers the trade of their goods is the income on which they depend for their daily life in St. Petersburg. However, among the standard second-hand household and clothing items that have clearly been used recently, there is also an abundance of World War II memorabilia and many genuine items from the Soviet era. This is probably what makes Udelnaya Flea Market the most famous flea market in Russia.
Udelnaya Flea Market is one of the largest flea markets in the world and is popular with locals shopping for everyday goods as well as collectors looking for valuable, coveted items. Early in the morning, the rows of the Udelnaya Flea Market are filled with many professional sellers, who sift through the goods with a keen eye for the best buys, which they buy at a bargain price and resell in the afternoon for a hefty profit. Early arrival is recommended!
Tourists flock to the Udelnaya flea market because of its reputation for genuine historical items, and the best experience is to be accompanied by a local friend or tour guide. Bargaining is absolutely essential, and of course this is harder to achieve with broken attempts at a second language. Most of the "stalls" are simply run by elderly pensioners who spread their belongings on blankets on the ground, and from these vendors there is always a chance to pick up some informal history of St. Petersburg, which for many is what makes a flea market worth visiting.
In addition to World War I memorabilia, you can find antique samovars, sacred images, imperial porcelain, vintage jewelry and clothing, uniforms, books, and, of course, the occasional bust of Lenin. The sheer number of vendors and "stuff" lying around can make the Udelnaya Flea Market feel a bit chaotic, but no less enjoyable.
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