The Silk Exchange in Valencia is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates to the late 15th century. This civil building was constructed in a Valencian-Gothic style over a fifty-year period, with the majority of the work taking place between 1482-1497. An earlier 14th century trading building known as the Oil Exchange was situated behind the current structure. As Valencia grew as a commercial powerhouse during the 15th century a new civil building was needed for trade. The design of the ‘Lonja’ of Valencia was inspired by the similar premise of the Lonja of Palma de Majorca. The majority of the Silk Exchange was built in the ten years between 1482 and 1492 by Pere Compte, considered the master mason of Valencian Gothic architecture, after his death in 1492 the rest of his work was completed by one of his students. The primary focus and earliest part of the building is the trading hall with its fantastic 16 metre twisted pillars that support a vaulted roof. The floor is decorated with striking marble and are flooded in light by beautiful gothic windows. The frames of the doorways are ornamented by a series of sculpted gargoyles, flora and fauna and human figures. At the top of the wall an inscription in Latin reminds the traders to be honest in their duties, this translates as, ‘I am an illustrious house built in fifteen years. Try and see, fellow-citizens, how negotiation is such a good thing when there is no lie in the speech, when it swears to the neighbour and does not deceive him, when it does not lend money with an interest charge for its use. The merchant who acts this will prosper galore and the end he will enjoy eternal life’.

The side-wing was next to be built with the Pavilion of the Consulate, this was the seat of the Tribunal del Mar, the first marine merchant tribunal to be formed in Spain. The first two floors were the main function rooms and are decorated richly. The final part of the structure is the tower of La Lonja, at times this was used as a place to imprison merchants for debts. The Patio de los Naranjos (Court of the Orange Trees) completes the complex and is a nice quiet place to sit and feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Valencia. La Lonja was used well into the early part of the 20th century and received its UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1996.

GPS: 39.47437, -0.37834