Plaça de la Peixateria
Whether you come via Carrer de Barcelona or Carrer de Sant Cristòfol, you will be surprised to find La Peixateria, or the fishmonger’s, one of the best examples of neoclassical architecture in Mataró.
This building, of marked sober and classical lines, was built in 1841 by the municipal architect Miquel Garriga i Roca. Its name makes no mistake. This space, near the sea and the fishermen’s district, was formerly the site of the fish market.
Since the fifteenth century, great maritime commercial activity has been documented in Mataró. In fact, the city managed to compete with Barcelona, despite having no port. In the eighteenth century, and thanks to trading with America, sea trade was key to the local economy. Even at that time, small boats were built in the shipyards of Mataró.
La Peixateria stands on the old sixteenth century wall and is formed by a single rectangular nave. The façade is completely symmetrical and has two porches on the sides with dramatic masks sculpted on top. The building is unmistakeable thanks to the central porches with six columns. On the cornice, there are three sculptural elements that symbolise the sea and fishing and, in the middle, the coat of arms of Mataró accompanied by a trident, the attribute of Poseidon, the Greek god of the oceans, and an oar.
The La Peixateria building is now home to a Centre for Cooperation and Support.
