Valencia Photo Gallery - Part 5

Lonja de la Seda, or the Silk Exchange, is the symbol of Valencia's golden age. Silk merchants met here in the 15th century when Valencia was a key place for the trade. The Gothic building became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The decision to build a new lonja came in 1469, but construction only began in 1482 after the city purchased the houses on the site to facilitate construction. The main trading hall and tower, which occupies roughly half the site, were inspired by Palma de Mallorca's market and was completed in 1498. Subsequent construction continued and the the group of buildings was completed in 1533.

The grand Contract / Trading Hall is a masterpiece in Gothic style. Measuring 35.6m x 21.39m and over 17m high, the hall has 3 main aisles with 5 rows of spiral pillars. Latin inscriptions on the walls highlight the principles for trade.

Next door, the Central Market used to be an open-air facility in the late 1830s. It was so successful it outgrew those premises and chose a new market design in 1910. There are over 8000 square metres of space with 959 stalls.

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