Llotja de Mar Free Entry for La Mercè

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Located in Pla de Palau, in front of Barcelona's old waterfront, La Llotja de Mar stands as one of the buildings most closely linked to the economic, commercial and cultural development of Catalunya. Its origins go back to the 14th century, when Peter III the Ceremonious authorized its construction in the neighborhood of La Ribera so that merchants could negotiate at the time when the city emerged as a great power in the Mediterranean.

After centuries of splendor promoted by the Consulate of the Sea and the Council of Hundred, the War of Succession of 1714 was a hard setback when it was turned into a military barracks by the Bourbon troops. However, its resurgence came in 1758 at the hands of the Royal Junta Particular de Comerç, an entity that took over its management and promoted a major neoclassical reform to transform it into the engine of Catalan economic, industrial and artistic modernization.

During the turbulent 19th century, the building also played a leading role in the political life of the country, being the stage from whose terrace the Liberal Constitution of 1820, the Royal Statute of 1834 and the Constitution of 1836 were proclaimed. After suffering damage during the Revolution of 1868, its rooms hosted in 1885 the debate and approval of the famous Memorial of Grievances, a key document in the defense of the moral and material interests of Catalunya.

After more than 700 years acting as a direct witness to the great social and institutional transformations of the city, this emblematic monumental site is still fully active today as it houses the corporate headquarters of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

Visitors can view the rooms on the ground floor and upper floor, where unique architectural styles converge: 

• Contracting Hall: Considered the heart of the site and the maximum expression of Catalan civil Gothic. It houses a historical legacy of great relevance as it was the seat of the Table of Exchange (the first public bank in Europe in the 15th century) and the stage of the first opera performance in the Iberian Peninsula in 1708.
• The Neoclassical Patio: Built in the 18th century on an old citrus garden, it is presided over by an imposing fountain with a sculpture of Neptune and four allegories representing the continents.
• The Staircase of Honor and the Noble Floor: Flanked by sculptures dedicated to commerce and industry, it leads to the Saló del Consolat de Mar, decorated with period frescoes and a portrait of Antoni de Capmany.
• Saló Daurat: Designed in the neoclassical reform and redecorated at the beginning of the 20th century by the renowned modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Muntaner, it stands out for its majestic red tapestry and golden details.

A number of famous figures from the world of art have stepped through the doors of the building and left their mark, including Antoni Gaudí and Pablo Picasso, who studied here when the Llotja housed the art school, the Reial Acadèmia. Discover this unique building where history, architecture, painting and sculpture come together.

What to Do for La Mercè

Celebrated in the days surrounding September 24th, the La Mercè festival program is packed with things to do and see. From parades and exhibits filled with gegants (giants), capgrossos (bigheads) and fire-breathing beasts to giant castells (human towers), traditional dances, correfocs (fire runs), drone light shows, fireworks displays and free concerts, you're sure to find something to delight and amaze you.

But if all the festivities of La Mercè get to be a bit too much, why not take a culture break? Many of the city’s museums observe the holiday with a jornada de portes obertes (open doors). To make the most of your time, take a look at our interactive map with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free: Map of Barcelona Museums with Free Entry for La Mercè.

See our Guide to La Mercè for a list of the festival's events and discover the story behind one of the biggest celebrations on Barcelona's calendar and the many traditions that make this beloved Catalan holiday so special.

For more events during the Festes de la Mercè check our online events calendar.