DE CONVENTO A MERCADO: LA BOQUERIA

You can share our videos:    / @barcelonamemory   If you'd like to contribute a small donation to help maintain the channel: https://es.tipeee.com/barcelona-memory. La Boqueria originated as a traveling market established in the 12th century. These were open-air stalls where farmers from the surrounding villages came to sell their fruits and vegetables. The grape market, which had previously been in Plaça de Santa Anna, and the straw weighing, traditionally held in Plaça Nova, were moved here. In 1586, the Discalced Carmelite Convent of Saint Joseph was founded, with its church, cloister, ancillary buildings, and a large orchard, where Barcelona's most famous market is located today. They were popularly known as the "Josepets" because of their dedication to Saint Joseph. The Santa Eulalia Gate, or Boqueria Gate, disappeared after the demolition of the city walls in 1760, giving way to an open esplanade. The area was also called Pla del Pes de la Palla (Plain of the Straw) because of the straw market that was concentrated there, and from 1794 onwards it was called Bornet because it resembled the old market in the Born district, which was destroyed in the events of 1714. With the visit of Charles IV to Barcelona in 1801, the dismantling of the market in the center of the promenade was ordered, and it was moved a little further on, to the grounds of the Carmelite convent's orchard. The Marquis of Campo Sagrado issued the first regulations for the market. That year, 1827, the market already had 200 stalls: 100 for meat, 48 for fish, and the rest for fruits and vegetables, but the space was too small for such a large crowd. Popular pressure had long been demanding the transfer of these lands to expand a market that had become overwhelmed by the lack of space. In 1835, Mendizábal planned to expropriate and auction off churches throughout the country that had fewer than five friars. That same year, on the day of the Revolt of Saint James, the day the convents of Barcelona burned during the popular uprising, the Convent of Sant Josep of the Discalced Carmelites was set on fire and demolished the following year. A monumental arcaded square, modeled after the Plaça Reial (Royal Square), was planned for the site. It would have been "Plaça del Trabajo" (Workers' Square), the largest in Europe according to the project, which was ultimately abandoned, although the arcades still remain today. In 1840, the first stone of the future market, designed by Josep Mas i Vila, was laid, giving it the appearance we see today. It was located outside the city walls, so it was exempt from the taxes levied on businesses within the walls, and it had 60 stalls covered by tarpaulins held up by 150 poles. In 1869, the market again became too small and was expanded at the rear, towards the Convent of Sant Joan de Jerusalén, which would be demolished in 1888 to create Plaça de la Gardunya. The market not only supplied the city with food, but also sold other types of goods such as watches, espadrilles, haberdashery, fabrics, and religious prints. There were impromptu performances by musicians, acrobats, and Valencian Gypsies who also sold small plaster figurines of saints. Gas lighting was inaugurated in the area in 1871. Within a few years, the El Born (1876) and Sant Antoni (1882) markets were also built in Barcelona. The Cerdà Plan envisioned the Ramblas as a grand boulevard where a market was not permitted, but after popular pressure to preserve it, it was decided that La Boqueria would remain. 1911 The fish market area was remodeled. In 1913, the modernist entrance arch, designed by Antoni de Falguera, was installed, and a metal roof, formerly belonging to the Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima company, was added. In 1985, the market underwent another renovation, with the construction of a parking lot and a loading/unloading area. From 1998 to 2001, the sales area was restructured, and the lighting was improved to allow more natural light. It is the largest market in Catalonia, covering an area of ​​2,583 m², although with the arrival of mass tourism, the traditional meat, fish, and vegetable stalls are disappearing, making way for other products to cater to tourists. SUBSCRIBE to our channel to see all our videos    / @barcelonamemory