Balti Jaam Market

Balti Jaam Market (in Estonian,  Balti Jaama Turg)  opened in 1993 (2 years after independence from the Soviet Union)  in and around two former 19th century warehouse buildings associated with the Baltic Railway Station. The place got a bad reputation as a site for the trading of what has been described as "post-Soviet goods and services" and in an attempt to overcome this bad reputation the market was imaginatively redeveloped in 2016 by re-roofing the existing limestone structures and roofing over the gap between the buildings but leaving all the character of the old warehouse walls. The resulting 3 storey structure is an architectural gem which offers an amazing range of outlets from antiques and local crafts on the top floor, vegetable market and separate sections for meat and for fish and an area full of street food and similar outlets below. Unusually the lowest floor also houses a gym.

The site on  which the market is built has an interesting, if macabre, history. A previous building was at one time used as a "shelter" to accommodate the bodies of deceased people who had expressed a fear of being buried alive. This building was paid for by a bequest from a local doctor, the idea being that people would be given a chance to "wake from the dead" before being finally consigned to the grave in the nearby Kopli cemetery (now a very nice public park).  In fact it seems that no such "resurrection" ever occurred. and the "shelter" was demolished in the 1870s to make way for the two large warehouses that now form the heart of the market. Whether you are looking for an interesting market to buy some local crafts or food or have an interest in the architecture or history this building is well worth a visit.