Dry Bridge Market (Mshrali Khidi Flea Market)

The Dry Bridge Market, known in Georgian as Mshrali Khidi, is an open-air flea market in central Tbilisi, spread along the Dry Bridge and the adjoining embankment near Noe Zhordania Embankment and the Mtkvari River. It began in the late Soviet period, when people sold personal belongings, and it grew into one of the city's best-known places to look for antiques, Soviet memorabilia and handmade crafts. Stalls line the pavements and park paths, and many sellers lay goods on blankets or small tables. Typical items include Soviet-era badges, medals, watches and cameras, old coins, vintage cutlery, rugs, ceramics, icons, paintings by local artists, jewellery, books and vinyl records. Some goods are genuine antiques, while others are reproductions, so visitors should look closely and negotiate. Bargaining is normal and friendly; a first price is usually reduced by a third or more. Prices vary from a few lari for a badge or trinket up to hundreds for paintings and rugs. Cash is the usual way to pay, in Georgian lari. The best days are Saturday and Sunday mornings, when the largest crowd of sellers appears and the range is widest; weekdays are quieter and have fewer stalls. A visit takes about one to 1.5 hours, longer for serious collectors. The market is about ten minutes on foot from Freedom Square and Rustaveli metro station and sits close to the Art Museum of Georgia and Pushkin Park, so it fits easily into a walk along Rustaveli Avenue. Photographers will find the display of old objects and the sellers themselves a rich subject, though it is polite to ask before photographing people. Items that may be considered cultural property can be restricted from export, so buyers of genuine antiques should ask for guidance from the seller or a local museum.