Mercat Central, Market hall in El Mercat, Valencia, Spain
Mercat Central is a market hall in the El Mercat neighborhood of Valencia, Spain, known for its wide iron structure and colored glass panels. The architecture combines several domes of different heights with tall columns that support the entire roof and allow much daylight to enter through the tinted panes.
Construction began in 1914 following designs by architects Francesc Guàrdia and Alexandre Soler, continuing until the opening in November 1928. The building replaced an older 19th century market and was intended to present Valencia as a modern trading city.
The name Mercat Central means simply Central Market, referring to its role as the main place for daily shopping in Valencia. Ceramic tiles on the walls show scenes from local agriculture and trade, while the colored glass windows depict fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
The hall opens Monday through Saturday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, offering fresh food at over a thousand stalls. Morning hours are the best time to visit, when the selection is largest and vendors display their goods fresh.
The iron framework of the roof uses techniques similar to those applied in building the Eiffel Tower. Each of the domes has a different size and shape, giving the interior an irregular but harmonious pattern of light.
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