Pla de Palau - Llotja de Mar

Pla de Palau is a square in Barcelona. In the past (medieval age) used as a trade centre. It owed it flourishing to the well developed sea-trade of goods. It was also a center of business and life. Pla de Palau was composed of different buildings, some of which have preserved their original form through years, such as the Llotja de Mar, a monumental neoclassical building from the eighteenth century.

The current construction however, is the successor of an ancient medieval building in Gothic. Designed by Pere Llobet, Pere Arvei and Marc Safont. It is considered one of the best preserved civil Gothic buildings in the Mediterranean area. The Neoclassical redesign was necessary due to destructions after the attacks during the War of Succession.


The Llotja de Mar (Fish Market), after being used as a meeting place of merchants , was converted into an art school in 1715. It also hosted the Barcelona Stock Exchange which is currently in Passeig de Gracia. Today is the headquarters of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Academy of Arts of Sant Jordi.


The building has a height of 22 meters and its walls are topped by four pediments, with the main one on the principal façade. The most important area on gothic part of the building is the 'Salon de las Contrataciones' (Hiring Hall) with a room 14 meters high. The columns and arches hold the wood floor above.The neoclassical part of the building makes it the most important building in this style that is preserved in the city. We can also recommend the façades, the courtyard and the staircase, richly decorated with sculptures.

Source of description: planerGO

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Neighbourhood La Ribera (Ciutat Vella)
Price definition of price
Geographical coordinates 41.3827656, 2.1829290
Address 08003 Barcelona, PlĂ  del Palau 22
Construction dates 1352 - 1453
Height 22.00
How to arrive? official transport site

How to arrive