El Mercat

Valencia

The primitive church of Sant Joan Mercat was erected in the suburb of the city known as the Boatella. From its old Gothic structure there is still the nave and the large blind oculus, known as "La O de Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rosette on the façade of the feet.

In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It stands out for the infrequent the wide façade of the Market, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the Lonja, forming a unique urban set.

It is presided by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, work in stucco by Jacopo Bertesi, and on it stands the clock tower, flanked by the two Santos Juanes and crowned by the famous "Pardal de Sant Joan", the weather vane to which -according to tradition- was made to look at the children when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace there are "les covetes de Sant Joan", semi-basements in which once were junkyards and old shops, part of the living history of Valencia.

The interior of the temple is an overflowing Baroque imagination, with statues of Bertesi representing characters of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes that Antonio Palomino executed in the vault.
The primitive church of Sant Joan Mercat was erected in the suburb of the city known as the Boatella. From its old Gothic structure there is still the nave and the large blind oculus, known as "La O de Sant Joan", which was conceived as a large rosette on the façade of the feet.

In 1592 the church suffered a spectacular fire that forced an almost total reconstruction throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It stands out for the infrequent the wide façade of the Market, conceived as a grandiose stone altarpiece on a terrace that dominates the square in front of the Lonja, forming a unique urban set.

It is presided by the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, work in stucco by Jacopo Bertesi, and on it stands the clock tower, flanked by the two Santos Juanes and crowned by the famous "Pardal de Sant Joan", the weather vane to which -according to tradition- was made to look at the children when their humble parents abandoned them in the square. In the lower part of the terrace there are "les covetes de Sant Joan", semi-basements in which once were junkyards and old shops, part of the living history of Valencia.

The interior of the temple is an overflowing Baroque imagination, with statues of Bertesi representing characters of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and especially the set of frescoes that Antonio Palomino executed in the vault.
Every building has uniqueness in its own here.
With this endless summer we're having, any corner of the city seems a perfect place to rest and get your strength back! ☀️ ☀️☀️ What about this one?👆🏼👆🏼 The "Santos Juanes" church, in the market square.
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Con este verano interminable que tenemos, cualquier rincón de la ciudad es perfecto para reponer fuerzas. ☀️☀️☀️ ¿Qué os parece este?👆🏼👆🏼 La Iglesia de los Santos Juanes, en la plaza del mercado.
All to be burned. Las Fallas de Valencia. Festival

Popular places to visit


El Mercat Hotel Deals

Hotel Primus Valencia

Hotel Primus Valencia

4 out of 5
Calle Menorca 22 Valencia Valencia
The price is SAR 390 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
SAR 390
SAR 429 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,025 reviews)
Clean quiet room. Spa undergoing renovation and closed

Reviewed on 15 January 2026

Hotel Primus Valencia
Only YOU Hotel Valencia

Only YOU Hotel Valencia

5 out of 5
PLAZA RODRIGO BOTET,5 Valencia Valencian Community
The price is SAR 606 per night from Jan 26 to Jan 27
SAR 606
SAR 667 total
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,004 reviews)
Excellent rooms, clean with great amenities. Location was great and walking distance to most locations.

Reviewed on 25 January 2026

Only YOU Hotel Valencia
Mythic Valencia Hotel

Mythic Valencia Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Carrer del Poeta Monmeneu Valencia Valencia
Stay at this B&B in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (526 reviews)
Loved our stay here. Good value for money and only a short walk to the old town. Staff are friendly and breakfast is great too. What’s not to like?

Reviewed on 12 January 2026

Mythic Valencia Hotel
Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort

Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort

5 out of 5
Eugenia Vines 22-24 Valencia Valencia
The price is SAR 634 per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
SAR 634
SAR 698 total
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
The view of this resort is spectacular!

Reviewed on 3 January 2026

Hotel Las Arenas Balneario Resort
Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar

Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar

3 out of 5
Avenida del Puerto, 39 Valencia Valencia
The price is SAR 236 per night from Jan 28 to Jan 29
SAR 236
SAR 259 total
28 Jan - 29 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (871 reviews)
Clean and easy check in

Reviewed on 5 January 2026

Hotel Olympia Consul del Mar
Novotel Valencia Lavant

Novotel Valencia Lavant

4 out of 5
Avenida Pio XII 4 Valencia Valencia
The price is SAR 395 per night from Feb 2 to Feb 3
SAR 395
SAR 435 total
2 Feb - 3 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Valencia. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Central Market and Bioparc Valencia Zoo are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (351 reviews)
Clean room

Reviewed on 15 December 2025

Novotel Valencia Lavant
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around El Mercat

Valencia City Centre which includes a city, heritage architecture and a castle

Valencia City Centre

4.5/5(530 area reviews)

Valencia City Centre is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Central Market and Silk Exchange. See more of Valencia by jumping on the metro at Angel Guimera Station or Xativa Station.

Valencia City Centre
Aerial overview of the old city

Ciutat Vella

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia and Silk Exchange are top sights in Ciutat Vella, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Colon Station or Xativa Station to see more sights in the area.

Ciutat Vella
Placa de la Reina

La Seu

While visiting La Seu, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza de la Virgen and Generalitat Valenciana.

La Seu
Vue sur la Cathédrale Saint-Apollinaire depuis la Plaza de la Virgen

Sant Francesc

While you're in Sant Francesc, take in top sights like Plaza del Ayuntamiento and jump on the metro at Colon Station to see more of the city.

Sant Francesc
Plaza del Carmen which includes heritage elements

El Carme

El Carme is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Plaza del Carmen and Centre del Carme.

El Carme
The exterior of the Ceramic Museum in Seville is gorgeous.

La Xerea

While visiting La Xerea, you might make a stop by sights like Puerta del Mar and Turia Gardens.

La Xerea