30/07/2026
The Silk Exchange: where you could make a fortune… or end up in prison.
Next time you visit Valencia's magnificent Lonja de la Seda, look at it from a different perspective.
This spectacular Gothic building was much more than a place to trade silk. At the height of Valencia's commercial power, merchants came here to negotiate, sign agreements and settle commercial disputes.
But here's something many visitors don't know: the central tower contained a prison for merchants who couldn't pay their debts.
The Lonja therefore represented both sides of medieval commerce. You could make a fortune—or discover that business doesn't always go according to plan.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Valencia's most impressive landmarks.
We've placed our vintage poster in front of the real building to compare the two.
Do you think the artist captured the spirit of the building?
Full article on: https://artespana.es/lonja-de-la-seda-valencia/ See less