In the central part of Gràcia, which was once home to a close-knit working-class community, Barcelona's Mercat de l'Abaceria opens the doors to a whole world of sensations and experiences. It is a pleasure to do some shopping here or just browse, as you listen to the characteristic cries of the stallholders which can tempt the most demanding shoppers.
In the middle of the 19th century, when Barcelona's new industrial society was calling for more rational city infrastructures and spaces adapted to the growth in population, travelling markets in the city and surrounding towns relocated indoors. This is the case of the Mercat de l'Abaceria Central in Gràcia village. Located on the Travessera de Gràcia, it opened in 1892, when it was named the Mercat de Santa Isabel, to provide a place where the farmers, who came to the nearby Gràcia's Plaça de la Revolució, could sell their produce. The Mercat de l'Abaceria Central was built at the behest of the industrialist Puigmartí, who owned a factory known as the Vapor Nou. The iron and brick structure is set out in three aisles or sections. The central aisle is the widest and has an eye-catching oval roof. The Mercat de l'Abaceria still retains the atmosphere of the Gràcia of bygone days, when it was a close-knit working-class community.
General details
Address: Passeig de Sant Joan, 168 (provisional) (08037). Barcelona
Phone: 932 136 286
Web site: www.mercatabaceria.cat
E-mail: info@mercatabaceria.cat
Opening time: Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 2.30pm & 5pm to 8.30pm. Friday, from 8am to 8.30pm. Saturday, from 8am to 3pm.
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Accessibility details
The Abaceria Central Market has no architectural barriers and is wheelchair accessible.
There are a series of stalls which don’t sell food on the side of the main façade (Travessera de Gràcia) and on the sides of the market in the pedestrianised streets (Carrer Mare de Déu dels Desemparats and Carrer Torrijos). Inside the market there are cafés with table service as well as the usual food stalls and a rest and play area in the centre called "la placeta del mercat" (the market square).
The market has six entrances. They are step free, wide and have double glass sliding doors.
Guide and assistance dogs are allowed throughout the building.
Parking :
There is a pay car park in front of the main façade of the market. To enter the market you have to go outside using the lift and cross the Travessera de Gràcia to get to the main entrance of the market.
Entrance :
The main entrance has a double glass sliding door which is 150 cm wide.
The pavements around the market are quite narrow, except at the rear (Carrer Puigmartí) which is used as a loading and unloading bay for goods.
Getting around inside the market :
The interior of the market is easy to move around. Wide aisles with different types of flooring. There are benches where you can rest along the side walls of the market. The fish stalls are located in the centre of the market. This area is set on a slight slope.
Toilets :
There are two adapted toilets. As you come in through the main entrance, the ladies’ are at the back of the right-hand aisle. The washbasin is set on a pedestal and has a single-lever mixer tap. The toilet has a fixed and fold-down grab bar. It also has baby-changing facilities and is always open.
The men’s adapted toilet is at the back of the left-hand aisle. If you want to use it you have to ask the market manager for the key. The cubicle has a washbasin on a pedestal with a single-lever mixer tap. The toilet only has a fixed grab bar. It also has baby-changing facilities.
Please bear in mind that the pictogram outside these adapted toilets shows baby-changing facilities instead of a wheelchair.
Last update: 21/07/2023
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