Queen Victoria Market, Historic open-air market in Melbourne central business district, Australia
Queen Victoria Market is a large open-air marketplace in central Melbourne with hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce, specialty foods, handmade goods, and retail items. The space is spread across multiple sections where vendors and food outlets operate side by side.
The market was established in 1878 on the site of an old burial ground where Melbourne's early settlers were laid to rest. The location was transformed into a commercial hub to serve the city's expanding population.
The name honours Queen Victoria, and the market has run since 1878. Its summer and winter Wednesday night markets add dining, bars and live entertainment to the regular stalls. The site also occupies the former Old Melbourne Cemetery, where city founder John Batman was buried; 914 bodies were exhumed between 1920 and 1922 for the Peel Street expansion.
The market is easy to reach on foot and located in the city center, making access straightforward for most visitors. Early morning visits offer the best selection and a less crowded experience for browsing and shopping.
The market stands on the site of the Old Melbourne Cemetery, Melbourne's first British burial ground, where city founder John Batman was buried. Between 1920 and 1922, 914 bodies were exhumed and reburied elsewhere, notably at Fawkner Cemetery, to make way for the Peel Street expansion.
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