La Lonja de la Seda

The Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) is the main civil Gothic building in València, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It was built when València was one of the Mediterranean's great trading powers. The Trading Hall, with helical columns that open out like palm trees of stone, is what people remember most from a visit.

History: the Valencian golden age

It was largely built between 1482 and 1492 under master mason Pere Compte, who had already worked on the Cathedral, taking inspiration from the exchange in Palma de Mallorca. The complex gathers three parts: the Trading Hall, where deals were sealed; the tower, which also served as a chapel and as a prison for defaulting merchants; and the Consulate of the Sea with its Courtyard of the Orange Trees.

What to see

Don't miss the 28 gargoyles ringing the building, with unusual, grotesque and sometimes risqué forms, a piece of 15th-century stagecraft. Inside, find the Latin inscription in Gothic lettering running high around the Trading Hall: it reminds merchants to be honest, to shun usury and to trade fairly, in order to attain eternal life. Go up too to admire the gilded coffered ceiling of the Consulate of the Sea.

Practical and insider

It's on the Plaça del Mercat, facing the church of the Santos Juanes and the Central Market. Admission is very cheap, and on top of that Sundays and public holidays are usually free: make the most of it. Local tip: instead of lingering only in the great hall, step into the Courtyard of the Orange Trees early in the day, when light rakes between the arches and there's hardly anyone around; it's the most serene corner of the whole site. Pair it with the nearby Plaza Redonda and round out your route with the what to do in València guide; if you're on a budget, don't miss the free plans.