The very entrance of Mercado Colon appears to have been built to impress. Huge curving arcs are fashioned out of the brick entrance and outlined in solid white stone. Filling in the brick face above is a mosaic mural in brilliantly colored ceramic tiles depicting orchards bursting with fruit and rosy cheeked villagers; a typical Valencian Countryside. Each detail on this structure was added with thought, mirroring features popularized by the Spanish architect Gaudi. The building’s façade dates back to 1914 when the structure was first built and slowly grew to be the communal space it is now. But can you guess what it functions as now?

The smell of roasting coffee, freshly baked bread, hot tapas and more likely gives it away the moment you walk in. In complete contrast to the exterior, the interior is a forest of iron pillars and a roof of glass illuminating the plaza within. Split into three aisles are restaurants, coffee shops, snacks and refreshments with a few bars peppered in between. The food here matches up to the opulence of the district of Ensanche it is found within. With cuisine from beyond just the borders of Spain, the flavors and aromas of a myriad cultures can be found within this single square.