Mercat de Sant Antoni

Mercat de Sant Antoni Review

An interesting spot for browsing—both for its artistic value and for its jumble of produce on sale—the Sant Antoni market is one of Barcelona's lesser-known gems. This mammoth steel hangar at the junction of Ronda de Sant Antoni and Comte d'Urgell was designed in 1882 by Antoni Rovira i Trias, the winner of the competition for the planning of Barcelona's Eixample. Considered the city's greatest masterpiece of ironwork architecture, the Greek cross-shape market covers an entire block on the edge of the Eixample. A combination food, clothing, and flea market, it becomes a book, comics, stamp, and coin fest on Sunday. Though many of the produce stalls inside remain closed, there are a few excellent bars and restaurants and some of the finest Moderniste stall facades in Barcelona. The hushed environment is reminiscent of the Boqueria market before it became Europe's most celebrated food fair. For market cuisine and good value well off the beaten tourist track, this lofty space merits a look.