The UNESCO World Heritage site, La Lonja, is a major highlight in all the guidebooks and was definitely one of my favorite places we visited in Valencia. Recently restored, it now stands in its full splendor, and the best part is that entry is free.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by the Baroque grandeur of the Palacio del Marques de dos Aguas, La Lonja offers a refreshing contrast with its serene, cathedral-like ambiance.

La Lonja de Seda, or the Silk Exchange, was established in the 15th century. The twisted stone pillars that stretch up to the vaulted ceiling are reminiscent of twisted silk threads. Today, when you enter the spacious and cool Sala de Contratacion (The Contract Hall), you can imagine the bustling activity of Valencia’s merchants from centuries past.

One side features a small, shady courtyard filled with the scent of orange trees. An external stone staircase leads you to a first-floor chamber adorned with a beautiful coffered ceiling and a patterned marble floor.

On the ground floor, off the courtyard, is the Pavilion of the Consulate, where the Merchant’s tribunal once held sessions. During the height of summer, this area must have provided a cool and shady retreat from the busy streets outside.