Although the Rastro is Madrid’s flea market par excellence for antique dealers and brocantes, neighboring towns have not only their own versions, but also specialized unpackings. Inspired by the French deballages , El Gran Desembalaje, held at the Recinto Ferial de Las Rozas, is one of the biggest events in the sector: there, more than 120 antique dealers and brocantes from Spain, France and Portugal unpack directly from their trucks all kinds of furniture, sofas, lamps, tableware, vintage objects, decorative art and unique pieces.
The return of the Gran Desembalaje after the summer break is on the weekend of September 12 and 13 and it is expected that, as in previous editions, visitors can browse more than 20,000 m² of stalls from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm.
The Great Unpacking of Las Rozas
Bargaining and buying, giving new life to furniture and objects that someone no longer wants. The emptying process is an essential part of the business: both private homes and luxury hotels are completely emptied and their objects – from designer sofas and tables to porcelain, paintings, modernist sconces, books, textiles and vases – are offered for sale at these unpackings and flea markets. Some special flea markets are even held inside luxury homes, they usually alert on their Instagram of the date and location. At these sales you can buy everything from €2 porcelain tableware to vintage clothing.
In addition to sturdy furniture and collector’s pieces, vases, chairs, lamps, mirrors and lawns or rugs abound, all at negotiated prices and often well below market value. The event has professional appraisal service to know the real value of pieces inherited or rescued from the storage room, and the entrance and parking are usually free.