Market Hall:

Mon-Sat 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Indoor Market:

Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Open Market:

Mon-Sat 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

HISTORY

FOREWORD

Much has been written about Tartu, less about its commercial life, and very little about its market trade. Yet, the market has played a remarkably important role in the life of the town. To help today's Tartu residents appreciate the changes in their hometown's market trade, and to give market workers a reason to look back on the past – that is what inspired this record of Tartu Market. Time urges us forward, as fewer and fewer people remain who can help with this endeavor. Through the following stories and pictures, we take a look at the past and present of Tartu's market trade, its people, trading stalls, and goods.

Ülo Kard 1988

MARKET AND FAIR TRADE IN THE OLD DAYS

The earliest reliably dated history of Tartu fairs dates back to 1582, when a privilege granted by Stefan Batory permitted three fairs to be held. In the 1901 issue of the "Livonian Governorate Gazette", one can read that the Tartu City Council passed a market regulation effective from November 9, 1901. The regulation begins with a list: bread market, dairy products market, boots, hats and tinware market, miscellaneous goods market, and flea market.

  1. Tartu food market

  2. View of the food market

    www.timeffect.com

  3. Vendor at the market in 1930

  4. Market Hall builders in 1937

    The construction contract was signed in July 1936, and the market hall was completed in December 1937, remaining Estonia's most impressive market hall for a long time.

  5. Interior view of the Market Hall

    Interior view of Tartu's new Market Hall in 1938

  6. Fairgoers at the food market

    Fairgoers at Tartu's food market, with the market hall, fire station, and trading yard visible in the background.

  7. Food market in front of the fire station

    Tartu food market in front of the fire station in August 1939.

  8. Market visitors at the food market in 1941

    Marketgoers and German soldiers at Tartu's food market, with the destroyed Stone Bridge on the right in 1941

  9. Damage to the Market Hall in 1941

    Market Hall damaged as a result of warfare in 1941

  10. Market Hall in 1957