List of markets in Barcelona

The city of Barcelona has a great many neighborhood markets that provide meat, fish, and produce on a daily basis, and are still vital to the urban life of the city. Many of the city's historic markets date to the mid-to-late 19th century, as the city was experiencing rapid growth due to the creation of the Eixample. Markets in the city are typically large enclosed spaces located centrally in the neighborhoods they serve. The larger markets are arranged into departments depending on the product. In addition, non-food items such as flowers and clothing are also sold. The city's oldest markets are located in the Ciutat Vella and Eixample, with newer markets along the fringes of the city. Many of the older markets, such as La Boqueria, not only provide food for their surrounding neighborhoods, but are tourist attractions in their own right, as they provide an essential glimpse into everyday life in the city. The markets are administered under the Mercats Municipals de Barcelona wing of the city's government.[1]

La Boqueria

Main article: La Boqueria
Fruit at La Boqueria

The most well-known public market in the city is the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, or simply La Boqueria. Located along the La Rambla, Barcelona in the heart of the city, It is both a tourist attraction and a functioning food market. The market consists of a series of open sheds, built in 1853 under the direction of architect Mas Vila. Though the building dates from the 19th Century, a market has existed in the same location since the 12th Century.

Mercat de Sant Antoni

Located in a triangle of Eixample blocks in between El Raval and Poble Sec, the Mercat de Sant Antoni is one of the larger markets in the city. It has been in operation since 1882.[2] It is laid out in a Greek-cross style plan inset in a larger square.

Mercat de Santa Caterina

The newly renovated Mercat de Santa Caterina

Located in La Ribera just off the Via Laietana, the Mercat de Santa Caterina has been in operation since 1848. It was recently remodeled, by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, with a colorful undulating roof. During the remodeling, the market was relocated to the stretch of the Passeig de Sant Joan in between the Arc de Triomf and the city's Parc de la Ciutadella.[3]

The market now serves an area also previously served by the Mercat del Born, which has been converted into an archaeological site preserving the foundations of the older neighborhood underneath its roof.

Mercat de la Barceloneta

The Mercat de la Barceloneta, like the Mercat de Santa Caterina dates from 1848. While originally an open-air market, it has since been enclosed.

Mercat de la Concepció

The Mercat de la Concepció spans the width of a block in the heart of the Eixample. It was constructed in 1888.[4]

Mercat del Ninot

The Mercat del Ninot is located in the western portion of the Eixample. Its current building dates from 1933.[5]

Mercat d'Hostafrancs

Mercat d'Hostafrancs

The Mercat d'Hostafrancs is one of the larger markets in the western part of the city. It is located near Montjuic.

Mercat de Sants

Located in the Sants district, this market dates from 1913[6]

Mercat del Fort Pienc

The Mercat del Fort Pienc is one of the city's newest markets, dating from 2003[7]

Mercat de Poblenou

One of the few markets serving the Poblenou area, the Mercat de Poblenou has served its neighborhood since 1913.[8]

Other Markets

Mercat de Galvany in the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district.

In addition to its larger, more central markets, the city of Barcelona also contains many more neighborhood markets under its care.

See also

References

External links