Is Valencia's La Lonja de la Seda Worth a Visit?

I think La Lonja is definitely worth a visit! It is a tourist attraction in Valencia, and it's even an UNESCO World Heritage Site for being an "outstanding" example of late Gothic architecture. It is very easy to visit for free, and it is located very centrally in the old town, so there is plenty to do nearby.

What is the significance of La Lonja?

La Lonja or the Silk Exchange (Valencian = Llotja) was constructed between 1482 and 1553 in a late Valencia Gothic style and was used as a commercial building for trading, featuring a main hall for arranging contracts, a chapel, a room for the first Spanish marine mercantile tribunal, and a prison for merchants who fail to pay their debts.

What is there to see in La Lonja de la Seda?

The main Hall of Columns is where most trading would occur when La Lonja was open. It has these gorgeous vaulted ceilings, marble floors, and curved pillars that are over 50 feet tall! I was very awed by these columns and the level of detail and craftsmanship in the building overall.

I am, at heart a portrait photographer, so I made Sanaya pose in a few shots.

Make sure you see the whole building! The Hall of Columns is the major attraction, but don't forget to head upstairs for a stunning experience.

Through the courtyard and up a flight of stairs is my favorite room, the Tribunal of the Consulate of the Sea. I mean, look at that floor! The copper door and stunning painted ceiling are also exceptional. This was an important room for the tribunal, to hold court in the case of disagreements and overdue contracts. Today, you can also have a seat and watch a short film about the history of the building and its construction.

Last, but not least, the courtyard is also called the Orange Patio and features the iconic Valencian Orange trees. You have to walk through the courtyard to get upstairs, but it deserves a dedicated moment of your attention. It was very cool to see these massive trees in the middle of a bit of a concrete jungle, and the Valencian orange is of course a world-renown icon.

How much does it cost to visit La Lonja?

At the time of my visit, the admission was completely free. It's free Sundays and holidays. Otherwise, it is only two euros. Therefore, I think it is easily worth the cost of admission.

How can you visit La Lonja de la Seda?

Valencia's La Lonja is open 10 am to 7 pm everyday except Sunday, when it closes at 2 pm. Be sure to check their website for closures, and again, visit Sunday and save the cost of entry!

In terms of making your way to La Lonja, it is literally right next to the Mercat Central de Valencia, so you can pop in for a quick view as you are touring the rest of this historic and beautiful area.

It is easy to miss, as the entrance to La Lonja is on the backside of the street, and the front does not have any signage. It just looks like a completely blocked off church or building. So don't be afraid to walk down the little alleyway and find the ticket entrance on the backside.

How long does it take to visit La Lonja?

It can be a pretty quick trip to visit La Lonja and experience the history of this building. There are no guided tours, so you will just get a map and read about the building as you tour yourself through it.

Honestly, I think you could easily spend longer waiting in line than touring the building. This is because it is fairly small, so they do not let many people in at a time. That said, it was not too busy, as it seemed to be overlooked by most tourists in the area.

I think you can plan 20 to 30 minutes, between getting your tickets and viewing the space. This should be enough time to view the short film upstairs, too.

In conclusion

At free admission and a quick self-guided tour, La Lonja is a great stop for tourists to get a taste of this gorgeous Valencian Gothic architecture. Plan to pop by as you are touring around other awesome Valencia sights, and I promise you won't regret it!