40,000 visitors come

Barter, haggle, trade at the big flea market

The largest flea market in Carinthia is just around the corner. From 3 to 5 May, the 32nd flea market will take place in Viktring - organized once again this year by doctor Heinz Herbst. 40,000 visitors are expected. 550 stallholders can offer their wares on 40,000 square meters. 

At the flea market, every find has its own special story. For many centuries, people have come together at flea markets to barter, haggle and trade. There are also rarities. A woman once bought a painting at a flea market for 50 euros, but it later turned out to be worth millions of euros.

Viktring is the most popular flea market stage in Klagenfurt - the 32nd flea market is being held there this year. "40,000 visitors are expected, the area is huge. The stallholders can offer their goods on 40,000 square meters, and there are plenty of parking spaces," says Heinz Herbst, who has invested a lot in the implementation.

This time, the children will also enjoy themselves. "We set up a bouncy castle and a trampoline where the kids can strap themselves in and take off."

The number of stallholders is increasing. "In the fall we had 500, this time 550 are expected. The fee is low. We allocate stands of nine, 25 and 27 square meters. The small spaces cost 35 euros for three days, the large ones 110 euros." The number of trees has also been reduced so that the number of stands can be increased. In addition to the Hexenstube, there will also be a barbecue stand. Toilet facilities will also be set up.

Flea markets have existed for around 150 years, with the first ones probably taking place in France and Belgium. It is also not clear why the word flea appears. Around 1880, an unknown man is said to have exclaimed that the colorful jumble and the many people in the alleyways of Paris looked like a flea market.

Belgium is also home to flea markets. One of the most beautiful and oldest markets is located on the "Place du Jeu de Balle" in Brussels. This special flea market has been around since 1873, takes place daily and has shaped the face of the Marolles district like no other.