A market over one hundred years old

In the nineteenth century, when Les Corts was still an independent township, separate from Barcelona, a travelling market used to be held in the streets that connected the city with what was then the neighbouring town. An outdoor market was opened in 1893 to regulate this activity and was originally called Mercat del Porvenir [“Prospect Market”], because it was located in a prosperous area. In fact, it wasn’t long before it adopted the name Mercat del Ninot [“Cabin Boy Market”], which it took from a nearby tavern that was well-known at the time for selling cheap wine. On its door, there was a ship’s figurehead of a cabin boy, which can now be found in Barcelona Maritime Museum.

The Mercat del Ninot was refurbished in 1933 according to plans drawn up by Antoni de Falguera, who transformed the site into a great space covered by a large metallic structure. The market is popular with local residents, who have been able to stock up with the quality products on offer there for over one hundred years.

Combining past and present

The Mercat del Ninot was completely remodelled via a project by Josep Lluís Mateo, from MAP Arquitectes. Work finished in 2015 and saw the market equipped with energy efficient measures, as well as a new façade with a modern image, but which also maintains traditional values.