Although the most famous market in Barcelona is La Boquería, there is no shortage of options and another of the great markets of the city is Santa Caterina. Which stands out for its colorful ceilings, its history and its wide corridors that brim with variety.
In the place where the Santa Caterina Market stands today, there was previously a convent of the same name that stood for more than three centuries. The convent was closed and destroyed in 1837, and the creation of what would become the Santa Caterina market began in the same area.
This was the first covered market in all of Barcelona, and it quickly gained popularity with locals. Like La Boquería, the Santa Caterina market grew with the city, and was filling with different and varied products, from the rest of Catalonia and all of Spain.
It survived the economic and social conflicts that the city suffered, resisted the Spanish Civil War and, like many other old buildings in the Catalan capital, underwent various reforms. The most important were those carried out in 1997, 2004 and 2005, on the first two occasions the spaces were enlarged, the structure was reinforced and the ceilings were secured. The 2005 remodeling is the work of Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue and the objective was to modernize the market.
The market is located on Avenida Francesc Cambó, very close to the Cathedral of Barcelona. It is built in a neoclassical style, and its most remarkable detail is its wavy and colorful roofs. The facades maintain a more conservative appearance and similar to the original design, their doors are tall and arched, and are supported by a continuous series of pillars. The colorful roof contrasts with the white color of the main facade.
As with La Boquería, the market has grown rapidly in recent decades. The variety of products and foods of international origin has increased and not only is food on offer, but there are also small cafes, restaurants and gift shops.
The building has parking for bicycles, and is easily accessible by public transport in the city. Its interior spaces are spacious, comfortable and always very well lit, no matter what time of year.
There are usually summer and Christmas offers, however, there is so much to see and choose in the Santa Catarina Market that we assure you that you will always find what you are looking for.
As the markets are the main commercial centers of any city, it is understandable that the main charm of the Santa Catarina Market is shopping. But beyond that, it is a pleasant and vibrant place to go for a walk, and mix with the everyday life of Barcelona.
It is open almost every day of the year, and is usually a common meeting place for locals and of fascination for visitors. If you are passing through the Catalan capital, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit this amazing center of commerce.
It is a large place, and although it is usually full of people, this rarely becomes a problem. During the early hours of the morning the atmosphere in the market is usually calmer, ideal if you want to live an experience as relaxing as it is fun.
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