– Come to the market, come to the market! That’s what the merchants were shouting, inviting people to shop in the markets of Chisinau.

The largest market in the city is the Central Market, and its history begins in the mid-19th century.

By the 60s of the last century Chisinau became the commercial centre of the governorate; here there was intense trade in yard, bazaars, dughene.

The Saint. Dumitru was the oldest, being established in 1829. It was held annually in October at Ciuflea Square.

Apart from the market fair, there was a growing trade at the daily markets. At the Old Market and Elijah’s Market, only food was sold. Food was sold at the New Market (opened in 1825), considered the great-grandmother of today’s Central Market.

In 1861, there were 4,000 merchants registered in Bessarabia, of which more than 1,000 were doing business in Chisinau.

The Chisinau merchants in particular traded with rich landowners and peasants, as well as with merchants from elsewhere.

Now you can buy everything from clothes and food to household and repair items in the Central Market.