Pryvoz Market, Food market in central Odesa, Ukraine
Pryvoz Market is a large trading center in central Odesa with separate sections for fish, meat, produce, and various goods spread across multiple buildings and halls. Thousands of merchants operate here daily, selling fresh products sourced from local and regional suppliers.
The market began in 1827 as a trading post for cart merchants and gradually became a major commercial hub. Permanent structures were built in the early 1900s, transforming it from a seasonal gathering place into an organized marketplace.
A statue of Aunt Sonya stands in the market as a symbol of the local trading spirit and appears in Isaac Babel's literary work The Odesa Tales. She represents the character and resilience of the people who have worked here for generations.
The market is located near the train station, making it easy to reach from different parts of the city. Visiting early in the morning offers the best selection and a less crowded experience.
In the 1940s, an escaped elephant from the local zoo wandered into the fruit section and fed on apples and pickled cucumbers before being recaptured. Locals still recall this strange episode as an odd piece of the market's past.
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