Llibertat Market

With 130 years of history behind it, the Llibertat Market is one of the oldest in the city. It was built in 1888, when Gràcia was still an independent town lying outside the borders of Barcelona. But the Barcelona Universal Exposition that was held in that year inspired a huge wave of immigration from other parts of Spain, bringing migrants to the city and to its outskirts in search of new opportunities.

That trend encouraged architect Miquel Pasqual Tintoré to design a market that exuded Modernism, the style of the times, and well on display just a few steps away at the Casa Gaudí. The central part of its façade portrays a Modernist crest of impossible shapes, and the tile roof boasts black and red glazed ceramic with iron trim.

The ceiling has iron beams and exposed wood, with open panels that allow air to circulate in and around the market stalls. These exquisite details were rendered by ceramicist and master builder Francesc Berenguer, a close friend of Gaudí, who used his own skill and vision to interpret the guiding architectonic principles of the era. The market’s design and rich history established it officially as a local Cultural Heritage Site, and a great place to get lost in after wandering through the neighborhood of Gràcia or stopping by the Casa Vicens.