Naschmarkt 🇦🇹

The Naschmarkt is a famous fruit and vegetable market located in Vienna. Spanning a length of approximately 1.5 kilometres (0.93 miles), the market is situated along the Wienzeile directly above the Wien River. The atmosphere of the site is celebrated well beyond the borders of Vienna, leading large numbers of tourists to visit the market each year.

The origins of the site date back to the sixteenth century, when it was initially known as the Aschenmarkt. In 1780, the market was moved to the top of present-day Wiedner Hauptstraße. Several explanations exist for the original name. One account states that milk was sold there in buckets called Asch, which were made from ash trees. Another account indicates that the old milk market sat on a former landfill designated for ash and waste, while a third explanation links the name to ash used as a cleaning agent for crockery.

Trade policies changed in 1793, requiring all fruit and vegetables transported into Vienna in carts to be sold at this specific market, whereas goods brought in on the Danube River were sold elsewhere. The area began to be called the Naschmarkt around 1820. Structural improvements followed, with the very first pavilions over the Wien River built in 1902.

Presently, visitors to the market can browse and buy fresh fruit and vegetables gathered from around the world, along with exotic herbs, cheese, meats, and seafood. A selection of baked goods is offered, including bread, kaiser rolls, and torte. Vendors at the market also operate stalls that sell various clothes and accessories.

The market additionally features many small restaurants offering a variety of foods, including sushi, kebab, and seafood. Guests can also order traditional Viennese food such as Kaiserschmarrn or Palatschinken, which are rolled up crepes. Since 1977, the market extends even further along the Wienzeile every Saturday, when a flea market takes place in an adjacent area.