The construction of the first covered markets of Barcelona took place at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. In this period, modernist architecture was at its most intense. It is therefore not surprising that many of these first markets were in the modernist style. We propose a route through the markets with a greater modernist character.
We can start this itinerary by going to the market La Llibertat. The market La Llibertat can be found in the neighbourhood of Gràcia, in the la plaça de la Llibertat, surrounded by the streets of Berga, Benet i Mercader, Milton and Oreneta. The nearest metro stop is Gràcia on lines 6 and 7 of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat, exit plaça Gal.la Placídia.
On leaving the metro station you should turn right towards the square, and then immediately left into Oreneta street and you'll bump into the market straight away. Another metro stop very nearby is that of Fontana on line 3. On leaving the metro you should turn right and cross over the street of Gran de Gràcia. Once you have passed the street of Sant Marc, you should turn right into Cigne street. The large quantity of shops in this street gives a clue to the proximity of the market.
At the end of this street you will come across the square and the market La Llibertat. If you come by car you should know that the market offers discount for car parking in the la plaça Gal.la Placídia, which is right next to the market.
This market has a notable modernist character about it. The building consists of an ironwork covering with brickwork outer walls. It was inaugurated in 1888, constructed by La Maquinista Terrestre i Marítima, and designed by the municipal architect of the Vila de Gràcia (Gràcia was a town outside Barcelona before becoming a district) Miquel Pascual i Tintorer. It should be mentioned that the architect Francesc Berenguer i Mestres, friend and admirer of Gaudí, gave the building a decorative feel.
In the central part of the façade, some highly worked ironwork pieces make up a precious modernist coat of arms of impossible forms. The roof finishing is completed with precious ironwork border. Inside the market the old modernists stalls are preserved.
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