The founding stone of the Mercat de Sant Josep was laid on 19 March 1840, yet the history of this market, popularly known as La Boqueria, dates back to the 13th century. There are currently over 200 establishments opening daily at the market, offering local people and visitors a unique range of gastronomy and culture in the city. We spoke to Òscar Ubide i Marcet, the manager at the market, and asked him to explain its importance for the city and its identification with the .barcelona domain.
-The Mercat de la Boqueria is not just any market. How does your location in the city and the type of people who go to the market have an impact?
Its location halfway down La Rambla means lots of tourists go to the market. There’s a mix of customers, with restauranteurs, locals and people from other places too.
-The history of the market dates back centuries. How important is it for the market to maintain this legacy and to show it to the world?
It’s very important in two ways. On the one hand, in maintaining a structure, often archaic, which continues to offer customers fresh produce a thousand years on. On the other hand, in terms of visitors, to show them a space which in many cases is older than their countries. This is very powerful.
-Activities at the market also go beyond food. What values do the market’s cultural activities bring and how relevant are they for La Boqueria?
For us it’s an obligation to go beyond the action of buying and selling. We have always had strong ties with the neighbourhood, the city and the country, and this is why the market must offer culture, nutrition, technology and all the things linked to food that we can show.
-How important is it for the Mercat de la Boqueria to have a website? For instance, when it comes to informing people about the activities held there?
It’s our showcase to the world. Many people use the site to check what stalls there are and where to find them, while others check the agenda to see what activities we offer there.
-How does the market’s website help establish a closer relationship with local people in Ciutat Vella?
Well precisely that, by people identifying stalls and their contact details and checking activities.
-Boqueria and Barcelona are two very closely linked concepts. How important is it for the Mercat de la Boqueria to be identified through the .barcelona domain?
The moment the domain appeared, we thought it was the one which connected with the market better than other existing domains, and that it strengthened our identity and our image. Whenever we give the domain to others it comes as a positive surprise to them.
-The .barcelona domain represents a map of opportunities in gastronomy, culture, commerce and sports for iconic organisations and projects in Barcelona. How does this community map of Barcelona help the Mercat de la Boqueria?
We believe that as a market and an iconic city facility, we are doing our little bit to strengthen the domain and what it represents, the strength and personality of our city.
