La Boqueria

La Boqueria, the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella of Barcelona, entered from La Rambla not far from the Liceu opera house. It is one of the city’s foremost landmarks. Its first mention dates from 1217, when tables were set up near the old city gate to sell meat, and from December 1470 a pig market was held on the site. The market was legally recognised only in 1826; building began on 19 March 1840, the structure was inaugurated in 1853, and a new fish market opened in 1911. Come hungry, and early, before the crowds.