Valencia - Lonja de la Seda

Farther west of the Cathedral, in the long Plaza del Mercado (once the scene of tournaments and festivals), stands the Lonja de la Seda (or Lonja de los Mercaderes), the old Silk Exchange in which the trade in the famous Valencian silk, sold all over Europe, was carried on. This magnificent Late Gothic building, erected in 1498 on the site of a Moorish alcázar, has richly decorated doorways and windows and fine gargoyle water-spouts (gárgolas). The main hall has rich stellar vaulting borne on twisted columns. From the tower (144 steps) there are fine views of the town.