The market stands in the middle of this bustling shopping street of the Sants neighbourhood, and was built during the city's major population boom to provide foodstuffs for the people who had moved to this factory district. It retains a traditional flavour which can still be glimpsed when you shop there or take a stroll between its stalls.
Hostafrancs Market, on Carrer de la Creu Coberta, is the oldest in the district and one of Barcelona's century-old food markets. It opened in 1888, as the rapid growth in the population made it necessary to find premises for the many street sellers in the area who sold provisions to the working-class families from the neighbourhood. The building replicates the classic form of the markets of the period, with a metal structure and brick walls enclosing a spacious interior with three aisles. Once inside, you gain a glimpse of the life and trading tradition of the Sants-Montjuïc district, among the stalls where you can buy anything you want.
Accessibility details
Hostafrancs Market has no architectural barriers and is wheelchair accessible.
It is set out in three sections and has small stalls outside which do not sell food. They are located on wide pavements or on pedestrianised streets.
The market has six entrances but only two are accessible: the main entrance on Carrer Creu Coberta and the entrance on the pedestrianised street, Carrer Hostafrancs, on the left of the main entrance.
There is a mezzanine without a lift where the offices are located as well as a café with a dual-level counter.
Parking :
There is a municipal car park with reserved, signed bays for wheelchair users on Carrer Vilardell, the street running parallel to Creu Coberta. This car park doesn’t lead directly into the market. You have to go outside and walk around the market until you find one of the two accessible entrances.
Entrance :
The main entrance (Carrer Creu Coberta) has two double glass automatic sliding doors. They are 150 cm wide. The first leads into a small lobby which has a lift on the right and a flight of steps on the left which leads to the cooperative "Abacus" on the mezzanine floor. The second door leads into the market itself.
Getting around inside the market :
The interior of the market is easy to move around. Wide aisles with two types of flooring: one half is covered with smooth tiles and the other half with square, relief-embossed tiles.
Toilets :
There is an adapted toilet. As you come into the market through the main door it is at the end of the central aisle on the right.
There is a fixed and fold-down grab bar inside the cubicle. There is space under the washbasin to provide wheelchair users with frontal access. The washbasin has a single-lever mixer tap. It also has baby-changing facilities.
This toilet is always open. If you find it closed, please ask one of the toilet attendants for the key (you can find them in the toilets in the basement).
Last update: 21/07/2023
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