This is a splendid town market, housed in an impressive Modernista building…read more
Although Terrassa had had a market since mediaeval times in the main square (now the Plaça Vella), the city council decided early in the 20th century that the town needed a purpose-built building. Begun in 1903, it was completed in 1908 on the hundredth anniversary of the start of the War of Independence, and named in its honour.
The building is largely the work of the architect Antoni Pascual i Carretero, but he was replaced in 1906 by Melcior Vinyais i Muñoz. It is a good example of the Catalan version of Art Nouveau, called Modernism, and its light and airy interior structure is the oldest large modernist metal structure in the town. As well as the exterior of curving, rounded arch windows, the interior has some nice decorative touches, including an impressive 'bouquet' chandelier in the main entrance hall.
The market is still thriving: its three wings contain a wide variety of butchers, bakers, green-grocers, grocers, dairy and delicatessen stalls, as well as a couple of cafes. There are lifts to the car park below.