The Boqueria Market, as it is known these days, has been thru many phases of existence. On the following words I could try and give adependable description of that rich history as we understand it. Where this market comes from is doubtful, what we are sure of is that it was born as a travelling market, located in the Ramblas of Barcelona. La Rambla acquired growing importance as a pedestrian street, and the market was set in the best spot to draw in the large numbers of passers-by and local inhabitants.
Its place was threatened many times. In Catalunya, towns and towns have been set up around markets and the same rings true for La Boqueria. It originated as an open-air market, in front of one of the gates of the old city wall ( Pla de la Boqueria ) where fruit and plant traders from local cities and farms nearby would sell their products. The spaces inside the city at that point were too small to create a big market of the current Boqueria kind and it was important to set them outside of the walls.
As the market’s popularity grew, farmers from neighbouring towns,for example Les Corts and Sarri were stopped from trading here. As the contest within the market grew increasingly unfriendly, there would be disagreements and fights between the old greengrocers and the fresh ones. For convenience sake the markets from the two near squares were combined into one : La Rambla de Sant Josep. Fish shops, butchers, and bird shops were built surrounding the new space, forming streets by the side of the priory and the Virreina. In 1826 The Marquee of Campo Sagrado, general captain of Catalunya, started to control, for the 1st time, the successful market of La Boqueria. The new open-air market, in Rambla de Sant Jos was inaugurated on October 18th, 1827. In 1835 the eradication of the priory of Sant Josep took place. It got replaced by a square, which would have been the grandest square in Barcelona of its time. Surrounded by porches, with gardens and fountains, it was named Plaa del Treball. Architecturally, the high columns were monumental, with a powerful allegorical sense to the work. When this regeneration was almost complete, and at the time when works were expected to start, it was assumed important to temporarily install the market in the old convent of Sant Josep and so be ready to remove it from the middle of la Rambla. This is the reason why the homes that surround and frame the market of the Boqueria form porches, which are unlike those in the present market. In 1836 when the priory of the Carmelitas disappeared with its church of Saint Josep, the city hall planned the development of the market. The project was in the hands of the architect Mas Vil. On St. Joseph’s day in 1840 the 1st stone of the market of la Boqueria was placed. In 1848 an enclosure for the fishmonger’s shop behind the palace of the Virreina was constructed. The pavilion that would later become the office of the Direction and Veterinary Services was also built. In 1861 some of the fruit and vegetable traders were allowed to settle provisionally at square Sant Agust and it was from this point that la Rambla was to be kept exclusively for flower stands. Many salesmen gave out a flower for the purchase of some of their products. The sale of flowers increased. In 1863 the retail places of fruits and vegetables settled underneath the porches. In 1869 the convent of Jerusalem, located behind the market, was demolished to make allowance for an extension to be built. In the Xmas of 1871, the gas lighting was introduced to the market. In 1911 the fishmonger’s shop was built.
In 1914 the market with the metal roof was inaugurated. From there, it started to modernize and to enhance, not only at a sanitary level, but also cultured, and decorative. Over the years, La Boqueria has become the most emblematic market of all of the network of markets in Barcelona. The structure, the situation, and the salesmen make it into an obligated must-see for all of the travellers who visit our city. This market has for the people of Barcelona, the recommendation of powerful family memories. It’s entwined with the city’s history, of all our families, their well-liked conventions and celebrations. The present salespeople are often, of the third and fourth generation of salesmen of the market. Theyare the union of the past with the present. Innovators, full of projects and restoration concepts for La Boqueria : for the new Barcelona. The commercial supply is in abundance and varies greatly : fresh fish and seafood ; salted fish ; tinned food ; butchery and offal ; birds ; game and eggs ; fruits and vegetables ; herbs ; shop ; bread and pastries ; restaurants ; frozen items ; artisan products ; charcuterie ; farmers’ shops ; wine ; and even a Greek and an Italian hand made pasta stall have joined the consortium/maelstrom that keeps La Boqueria alive. Of course , the market is all about its people! If you like to visit the Boqueria look for a Hotel Barcellona. A Hotel a Barcellona is a good starting point to get to the center of Barcelona.