The "Sennoy" market of St. Petersburg is known to many from the novel "Crime and Punishment" by F. M. Dostoevsky. It was near this place that Rodion Raskolnikov lived. And although the modern market near Sennaya Square no longer looks like the one during which the heroes of the great Russian writer lived, however, it will always be associated with the era of Dostoevsky and his brilliant literary work.
History of the Hay Market
Hay Market appeared in 1737 under Empress Anna Ioannovna. At that time, the construction of Sennaya Square, which is one of the oldest sights of St. Petersburg, began.
A year before, the "Morskoy" market was destroyed by fire near the Palace Square, and it was decided to move the trade away from the center. In those days, the main street of the capital - Nevsky Prospekt - was called the Big Perspective Road. On the outskirts of the city (to the south of it) there was a free wooded area. To create a newmarket square, it fit perfectly.
The name of the square and the market is due to the fact that initially firewood, straw and hay were traded in this place. The most popular among buyers was the last product that gave the place its name - Sennaya Square. Also, Sennaya Street was laid from the market to Nevsky Prospekt, which was later renamed Sadovaya Street, and a road leading to Moscow, Kyiv and Tsarskoye Selo was built to the south. Therefore, Sennaya Square was associated by many people with a kind of "canopy" of St. Petersburg.
Start trading on the "Hay" market
Since then, a lot of retail space has been built in St. Petersburg, but the most popular for any St. Petersburg resident is the "Senna" market. Its address is indicated in any guidebook; for guests of the Northern capital, it is famous as a landmark and a profitable place for shopping.
In the 18th century, peasants came to the "Sennaya" market in order to trade in hay, straw, fish, meat, vegetables and oil. At the beginning of the 19th century, other products were already being traded here with might and main. In the spring, the sale of flowers and trees began. By the end of the 19th century, Sennaya Square became a popular place, so its improvement became relevant. In 1883-1886, four food buildings were built. In the 90s of the XX century, the Sennoy market consisted of endless stalls.
Hay market today
Before the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the square near the market was reconstructed. Territoryacquired a pleasant appearance. Trees were planted, strange-looking stalls disappeared, and beautiful trade pavilions were built in their place. Nowadays, you can find anything from a wide range of food products, vegetables, fruits, meat and fish to household goods, fashion clothes and shoes.
"Hay" market is still popular among the local population and visitors to the city. Several tens of thousands of people visit it every day. Today, shopping pavilions attract buyers not only with affordable prices, but also with high-quality goods, as well as daily checks carried out by the market administration together with sanitary services.
How to get to Hay Market?
"Sennoy" market is located in St. Petersburg at Moskovsky prospect, 4, lit. A. The nearest metro stations are Sennaya Ploshchad, Spasskaya and Sadovaya. On foot you can walk to the stations "Nevsky Prospekt" and "Gostiny Dvor".
Opening hours of the "Hay" market - from 08.00 to 20.00 seven days a week. In addition to the metro, the market can be reached by public or private transport. Visitors to the shopping area can leave their car in a convenient parking lot. Shopping lovers have the opportunity to spend the whole day on Sennaya Square, since all the conditions are conducive to this. Next to the market there is a large shopping complex, where you can also go shopping, visit a cinema and satisfy your hunger in a restaurantor cafe.
