Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Moscow 5 - Izmailovsky Market



'Izmailovsky' is  mostly  a weekend market, and it comprises several sections: souvenir section at the front; flea market, antiques, and art, at the back.  Like all markets, this one is also colorful and exciting, but not noisy; the lack of noise came as a pleasant surprise to me.

I wandered through all the sections, but since I was interested in buying some souvenirs, I naturally concentrated on the souvenir part of the market .

Besides the souvenir stalls,  there was a space (full of smoke) with meat stands, red tables and chairs, for people to have a barbeque meal.
Here's my meal (not cheap): grilled lamb (big bone, little meat), some vegs, a very delicious pita bread, a bottle of sparkling mineral water.



The souvenir part of Izmailovsky market is based mainly on two elements: matrioshka dolls and memorabilia, with some additional stalls and shops that sell T- shirts, russian fur hats with ear flaps woolen socks, shawls,  lacquer boxes, table coasters etc..As they say, there's something for everyone.

According to Wikipedia, matrioshka is  "a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other" .To put it simply - doll inside a doll, inside a doll, inside... The name 'matrioshka', as one understands,  refers to the mother figure of a big russian family.



I was utterly amazed at the huge variety of those dolls. They were of all shapes, colors, size, quality, hand-made or only hand-painted, with 3-5 and even more nested figures. Prices - accordingly.

As for Memorabilia items-  these include soviet era medals, pins, knives, coins, stamps, propaganda posters, busts of soviet leaders, and more.(Back, at the flea market , one could find  ' heavier' military stuff :rifles, helmets, uniforms, war masks).


The best part of my day was at the end of my visit at the market when I reached the metro station to go back to town. Outside the metro station called Partizanskaya, a trio from Colombia was performing rhytmical spanish songs and enchanting the audience. The russians seemed to be very generous with the money they put in the yellow box.



16 comments:

  1. I enjoy traveling this way. We're with the grandkids this week. Pretty happy to stay home and play!

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  2. Jennifer A.Jilks,

    Time to travel, time to stay home and enjoy the grandkids.

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  3. Nice to read your posts from Moscow, someday I hope to see it!

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  4. Ola,

    Thank you. I believe you will see it; t's worth the effort.

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  5. Such great commentary...I have read all about your visit! Thank you! Also never realized that Lenin was still on view...part of me wonders if it is actually him or a Madame Tussaud wax tribute.
    Nice to be back!

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  6. Susan Ellis,

    I'm flattered by your words. Thanks.
    As for Lenin, all I know is that from time to time they close the mausoleum and perform on him maintenance work. Scientists make their best to keep him in a 'natural' condition. It's been going on for over 90 years.

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  7. This was such an interesting post. I so enjoyed the travel. I did not know Lenin was still on view. thanks for your visit to my blog.

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  8. Linda O'Connel,

    Thanks for the comment. Hope you'll keep on reading my posts.

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  9. Nice to have had another visit to Moscow via your words and photos.

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  10. Vera,

    Nice to learn that you like visiting Moscow through my words and pictures.

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  11. I would love to visit Moscow one day. From all accounts it seems like an interesting place filled with an historic presence. I enjoyed your photos of the trip.

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  12. Angelina Pratt,

    Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Moscow is indeed interesting historically, ard otherwise. People at markets or on the street also draw our interest - the 'human side' as we call it.

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  13. Duta, I bought those dolls, but the best buy was some poetry books and
    fabulous hand made fabric, all lost in my house fire. Russia was the best trip ever. I could not get enough of it. The Movie Hachi is a true Dog story.
    If you ever get the chance to see it , please do. It is so hot here and the
    humidity is awful. Take care be well. Yvonne
    Have you see that stupid Donald Trump, God Forbid a crazy like him
    get's any more power.

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  14. La Petite Gallery,

    Hi Yvonne,
    I'm sorry about that fire at your house. Look at the bright side - you are well and sound.
    Here we are also 'battling' heat and humidity. We had a very cold winter, and now a very hot summer.

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  15. I am so surprised it was not noisy. Oh my and the number of the nesting dolls...wow! Love traveling with you! You are a wonderful commentator!

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  16. Nel,

    I was kind of surprised too. The nesting dolls are a huge attraction.
    Thank you for the compliment of "wonderful commentator" (OMG!).

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