La Lonja

La Lonja de Zaragoza is a civic building in the Aragonese Renaissance style, built in the first half of the 16th century. Construction, which took place between 1541 and 1551, was originally intended as a venue for the city's trade and commercial activities, since markets had previously been held in churches such as La Seo. The project was initiated by the city council and Archbishop Hernando de Aragón, with the master builder Juan de Sariñena taking charge of the design. As the most important and the first completed Renaissance building in Aragon, it is considered an architectural jewel that combines 15th-century Italian influences with local Mudéjar elements.

The building is constructed of brick, a material highly prized in the region because of its Islamic and Mudéjar tradition. The facade has a rectangular footprint with three stories, though the exterior structure does not reflect the volume of the interior. Its hallmark is the paired round arches on the upper level, adorned with colorfully painted plaster portraits and ceramic medallions. The lower doorways are emphasized by semicircular arches and molded frames that recall Aragonese stylistic elements. Inside, an open hall with three aisles dominates, supported by octagonal columns with a distinctive ring in the lower third, modeled on the Ionic order. The ceilings consist of star-shaped ribbed vaults that still show Gothic structures, while the walls are decorated with sculptures, frescoes, and an inscription in Gothic lettering.

Today La Lonja serves as an exhibition hall run by the city council. You can experience the harmonious blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar styles, visible in the rhythmic design of the facade and the decorative details inside. One special feature is the attic, which once served as an arms depot and was reached by a spiral staircase. The building represents not only Zaragoza's economic history but also the cultural exchange between the Italian Renaissance and local building craftsmanship.