A historic marketplace

Hostafrancs, which is among the group of markets in Barcelona that are already over 100 years old, is nevertheless much more than just a market. It is considered a nerve centre, not just for trade, but also for the human relationships that have been established over several generations among the residents of the Creu Coberta and Hostafrancs neighbourhoods.

When first established in the late nineteenth century, the market supplied workers at several nearby factories that had emerged as a result of the industrial growth in Sants at that time. The original structure was designed by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias and, despite various restoration projects, the architectural style of the period is still visible, with a steel structure, brick masonry walls and a row of arched windows over the main entrance.

Values that are worth saving

You can still experience the traditional flavour of this market every morning among the maze of family-run stalls, where the added value of a smile, a conversation and human warmth is always welcomed, and is something increasingly rare in bustling urban settings.