Russian Bazaar
The flea market, also known as the "Russian Bazaar," was established in the 1990s in the Sabunchi district of Baku. According to sellers, during the early '90s, Russians, Armenians, and Jews were leaving Azerbaijan, bringing their household items here to sell. At that time, the market was located directly at the train station, where books, clothes, and dishes were spread on the ground for sale.
When the Nagorno-Karabakh war began, refugees and internally displaced people started arriving in Baku, many of them fleeing their homes with only the clothes on their backs. They bought mattresses, bedding, and kitchenware at this market to settle into their new homes.
Today, the market is known for selling everything: clothes, shoes, household appliances, furniture, and even animals like chickens and geese, which sometimes create a foul odor. Everything is sold at very low prices, making it particularly popular among low-income residents. Some sellers even admit that they sometimes buy goods from neighbors or suppliers (most likely stolen items). Despite some questionable merchandise, sellers claim that it all gets purchased—either by poor locals or tourists and antique lovers. Interestingly, even though the market is considered a place for the poor, some vendors sell expensive antiques.
The market operates on Saturdays and Sundays, and it's said that some sellers arrive as early as 2 a.m. to secure a free spot
