Kuznechny Market

Kuznechny is the oldest working covered market in the city, built in 1922 to 1927 in a restrained classical manner with a colonnaded front, and it is a real produce market rather than a food hall. Inside are the things a northern city market sells: forest berries in season - cloudberry, lingonberry, bilberry - mushrooms fresh and dried, honey from several regions, curd and sour cream from farms, pickles and pickled garlic sold from barrels and jars, salted and smoked fish, meat, herbs and nuts from Central Asian and Caucasian sellers. Prices are the highest of any market in the city because of the central position, and sellers expect to be asked to let you taste before you buy, which is normal and not an imposition. The Dostoevsky museum apartment, where he wrote The Brothers Karamazov and where he died, is on the corner, so the two are usually visited together.

What you actually see

• The 1927 hall - the oldest working covered market in the city, colonnaded outside.
• The forest produce - cloudberry, lingonberry and mushrooms in season.
• The barrels - pickles and pickled garlic sold loose by weight.
• The tasting - sellers expecting you to try honey and curd before buying.

When to go

July to October for berries and mushrooms; all year otherwise. One hour. Mornings are best.

Honest expectations

It is the most expensive market in the city and prices are quoted higher to obvious visitors - ask, taste and negotiate. Cash is preferred at most stalls. It closes early in the afternoon. Sunday and Monday are thin.

Nearby

The Dostoevsky museum apartment is on the corner; Vladimirsky cathedral is opposite.