Lonja de la Seda (The Silk Exchange), Valencia (must see)
Just across from the Central Market is one of the city鈥檚 most beloved landmarks鈥攁 true cathedral of commerce. Known as the Silk Exchange, this grand structure was originally built for the silk trade and later used for broader commercial exchanges. A symbol of Valencia鈥檚 golden age in the late 15th century, it鈥檚 also one Europe鈥檚 finest examples of secular Gothic architecture.
The facade alone is a marvel of craftsmanship鈥攅laborate stone carvings, delicate tracery, and distinctive windows line the walls. You鈥檒l also notice a parade of gargoyles on the balustrades鈥�28 in total, in the shape of winged creatures, beasts, and bats.
A central tower divides the structure into three main sections. Inside the tower, there鈥檚 a small chapel and a former debtor鈥檚 prison鈥攗sed to hold merchants who failed to pay what they owed. To the left of the tower were two key institutions: one overseeing maritime trade, the other an early banking body that helped fund the construction. It鈥檚 well worth venturing inside to admire the ceilings鈥攅specially the Golden Hall upstairs, where a richly painted and gilded wooden ceiling dazzles with scenes of music, prophets, and mythological creatures.
But the soul of the building lies in the Transactions Hall, just to the right of the tower. Here, eight soaring spiral columns support a vaulted ceiling in a room divided into three aisles. Along the walls, a carved inscription proclaims: 鈥淚 am a famous house which took fifteen years to build. See how fine a thing commerce can be when its words are not deceitful, when it keeps its oaths and does not practise usury. The merchant who lives in such a way will have riches and enjoy eternal life.鈥�
When you鈥檙e done exploring, take a moment to relax under the orange trees in the peaceful courtyard鈥攁n ideal spot to catch your breath before moving on with your walking tour.
The facade alone is a marvel of craftsmanship鈥攅laborate stone carvings, delicate tracery, and distinctive windows line the walls. You鈥檒l also notice a parade of gargoyles on the balustrades鈥�28 in total, in the shape of winged creatures, beasts, and bats.
A central tower divides the structure into three main sections. Inside the tower, there鈥檚 a small chapel and a former debtor鈥檚 prison鈥攗sed to hold merchants who failed to pay what they owed. To the left of the tower were two key institutions: one overseeing maritime trade, the other an early banking body that helped fund the construction. It鈥檚 well worth venturing inside to admire the ceilings鈥攅specially the Golden Hall upstairs, where a richly painted and gilded wooden ceiling dazzles with scenes of music, prophets, and mythological creatures.
But the soul of the building lies in the Transactions Hall, just to the right of the tower. Here, eight soaring spiral columns support a vaulted ceiling in a room divided into three aisles. Along the walls, a carved inscription proclaims: 鈥淚 am a famous house which took fifteen years to build. See how fine a thing commerce can be when its words are not deceitful, when it keeps its oaths and does not practise usury. The merchant who lives in such a way will have riches and enjoy eternal life.鈥�
When you鈥檙e done exploring, take a moment to relax under the orange trees in the peaceful courtyard鈥攁n ideal spot to catch your breath before moving on with your walking tour.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valencia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Lonja de la Seda (The Silk Exchange) on Map
Sight Name: Lonja de la Seda (The Silk Exchange)
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valencia, Spain (See walking tours in Valencia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valencia, Spain
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
In the course of nearly two... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Valencia Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
Valencia鈥檚 Old Town stands apart from many in Europe for how effortlessly its many layers of history coexist. Beneath modern squares, ancient Roman streets and forum remains lie quietly preserved. The maze-like layout鈥攕haped during the city鈥檚 Islamic period鈥攚as never swept away after the Christian Reconquest. Instead, it survived and evolved, now lined with Gothic churches and Baroque... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles