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Photo by Hannah Thomson
El Rastro de la Virgen
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Over the past few months the deserted strip of Carrer de la Verge has woken, every first Saturday of the month, to The Trail of la Virgen market (El Rastro de la Virgen); although the November event has just passed, this month there will also be a special edition of this authentic and artistic second-hand market in the courtyard of the CCCB on November 16th. The monthly version, however, is located just off the lively street of Joaquin Costa, close to the CCCB in the deliciously dishevelled Raval; starting each time at midday and continuing through to 8pm (the November 16th event finishes at 10pm), another pleasing feature of this market is the free entrance.
The definition of vintage is something of lasting interest and importance; classic and venerable. And while the market of La Virgen honestly promotes itself as a second-hand market and is a little less ‘vintage’ in the fashionable sense and a little more ‘recycled', the stalls that it musters up are full of classic, distinctive garments and other treats, which are there because of their lasting appeal. It is a great destination for sourcing others' old loves and your (soon-to-be) new loves, as the market simply hosts items of other like-minded people. And if you are more of a seller than a buyer you can purchase a space for just €20, which I believe is one of the best prices around.
A bar will be open in El Arco de La Virgen (the premises of the local association that organises the market), which, by the by, has great gypsy jazz nights mixing swing, blues and rockabilly for all to sit and watch in awe; check out their website for this season’s itinerary.
Stay up-to-date by joining the Facebook event: the market is weather dependent and will be postponed if the heavens open. And if you miss the November 16th market, there is no time to go cold turkey as it will return again on December 7th and January 4th.
So, with—shockingly—less than 60 days until the end of the year, celebrate, splurge, drink and dance at The Trail of La Virgen.
El Arco de la Virgen: www.elarcodelavirgen.es/
More info: elrastrodelavirgen@elracodelavirgen.es
Hannah Thomson is a recent English and American Literature graduate currently living in Barcelona teaching English, learning Castilian and pursuing anything cultural and creative along the way. If you want to read more about happenings in Barcelona, check out her blog: http://bcnspot.tumblr.com/