Mercat de Santa Caterina, Barcelona — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Mercat de Santa Caterina is one of Barcelona's most iconic markets and a triumph of modern sustainable design built on historical foundations. The market was originally built in 1845 on the site of a Dominican convent that had been demolished in 1837, making it one of Barcelona's first covered markets and a revolutionary concept for its time. In 2005, the market underwent a stunning redesign by architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, who created the famous undulating roof adorned with 325,000 hexagonal ceramic tiles in vibrant colors. The roof design cleverly evokes the image of a market stall overflowing with fruit and vegetables, bringing the spirit of commerce into the architecture itself. Most remarkably, during the 2001 renovation, archaeologists discovered and excavated the remains of the medieval Dominican convent that previously occupied the site. These archaeological treasures, including structures and artifacts from the convent, are now visible inside the market, allowing visitors to literally walk above centuries of Barcelona's history.