El Mercado Central (The Central Market)

Plaza Ciudad de Brujas, s/n, 46001 València, Valencia
Telephone: 963 82 91 00

At the center of every healthy diet, one needs good ingredients to work with. In America, many people can go to their local grocery store to pick "fresh" produce. However, the fresh produce that Americans find on their local shelves are still covered in pesticides or are genetically modified to enhance flavoring. While there is nothing inherently wrong with trying to improve the quality of food, nothing compares to the fresh-from-the-field taste that one can find in Valencia's Mercado Central.


Previously a marketplace in the 13th century, the 8,000 square-meter space is a fully renovated and functioning marketplace with over one thousand selling posts. It was erected and designed by Francisco Guárdian and Alejandro Soler in 1914, then inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1928. These two designers were also well known for their ironwork with Gustave Eiffel on the Eiffel tower. One can see the the influence of their iron work, as the iron structure greatly resembles that of the Eiffel tower. The stores are not necessarily categorized or organized in a particular way (save for the Pescaría). There are fruit vendors, carnicerías, vegetable stands, alcohol stands, oil and olive shops, and so many more.

On top of the large market building, there is a beautifully constructed dome covered with symbolism. The big green parrot (or el Cotarra del Mercat) on top of the dome has a few different meanings. First and foremost, it is the symbol of the market. Since it is a weather vane, the parrot also represents the chatter and activity of business. (It is also suspected to represent the chatter of gossiping business women.) Stained glass windows on the dome illustrate the common produce sold in the marketplace.

The Market itself today represents the fertility of Valencian soil. Being near the coast, Valencia prides itself on its vastly fertile soil and abundance of produce. The Central Market has been home to hundreds of family business for around almost one hundred years. Families have occupied these selling stalls for generations and generations. It has also served as a local meeting/gathering point, where locals and the vendors have come to know each other. El Mercado Central serves as a symbol of community and unity in the heart of Valencia.

I find myself at the Central Market all the time to buy groceries for the week. I feel that the prices are some of the cheapest that anyone will find anywhere, due in part that these are family businesses. Back in California, my Grandfather owns a small family business that is suffering right now, so I truly believe in supporting small businesses like the ones in the Central Market. I love coming to the Central Market as it truly is a central part of Valencian life when it comes to getting food for families or feed a hungry College student's belly.

~Christian "Macho" Camacho