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Naschmarkt

History:
In the 18th century, there was a farmer’s market where mainly milk products were sold on the bank of the Wien River in the area of today’s Naschmarkt. The market was located on the Rechte Wienzeile, and bordered to the north by the bridge Elisabethbrücke (today Karlsplatz/Operngasse), to the south by today’s Treitlstraße and to the east by the Wiedner Hauptstraße.

The market came into existence around 1780, when a market was relocated from the Freyung, where there had repeatedly been conflicts between the magistrate and the monastery Schottenkloster. Before that time, this area was used as a municipal waste and ash dumping ground.

The name:
At that time, the market was officially called Kärntnertormarkt. The two possible derivations of the commonly used name Aschenmarkt go back to this early era of the market. On the one hand, the name could be derived from the area being formerly used as a dumping ground for ash; on the other hand, it is also possible that the old denotation “Asch” for the milk containers made from ash wood was the original source of the name. Since around 1820, the use of the name Naschmarkt has been documented, which in turn may have originated from the partly exotic sweets and products, such as candied orange peels and dates. In 1905, the Kärntnertormarkt was officially renamed as Naschmarkt. At that time, it extended over the area between today’s Operngasse and the newly roofed Wien river bed, thus incorporating parts of the Karlsplatz. In the course of the extensive urban development activities of that time (cf. Wiener Ringstraße, Gründerzeit), plans were made to relocate the market to create space for a grand boulevard leading from the inner city to the Schönbrunn Palace. In 1916, the area on the edge of the market furthest from the city center was temporarily developed as a food market. As there was no railway connection at this point of the city, the planned central market for fruit and vegetables was not able to establish itself, and this part of the market was soon abandoned again. Today, there is a car park on this spot, and every Saturday Vienna’s biggest flea market takes place here. After the war, in 1919, the old part of the market on Karlsplatz was closed down as well, thus giving the Naschmarkt more or less its present-day shape. The Naschmarkt today is one of Vienna’s tourist features, as well as a market place.

Vienna’s stomach:

At the Naschmarkt, mainly fruit, vegetables, bakery products, fish and meat are sold. The market is also renowned for the large range of international products on offer from the countries of former Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, and increasingly from East Asia, especially Japan and China. Groups of shops offering similar products have formed in some parts. At the edge closer to the inner city, near the Secession, there are several fish shops, and in the first third of the market, there are some Asian stores. For the last few years, the market has also offered a great variety of catering facilities. Especially between 2001 and 2004, many shops were reconverted into restaurants. In the summer of 2005, this development was stopped when any further conversion of shops into restaurants was prohibited. The new market regulations from 2006 allow catering facilities to open until midnight. Hence, especially in the summer months, the Naschmarkt is very busy at night-time, too. The market comprises a total of 172 stands, shops and pubs. On Saturdays, there are an additional 30 farmer’s stands.

Channel: Typisch Wien
Categories: Food & Drink, Personalities, Sightseeing, Wienerisch

Weiterführende Links:

• Naschmarkt
• Naschmarkt wiki