Renaissance Glory in Castellón: Llotja del Cànem

Originally constructed in 1606 to 1617 under the leadership of master builder Francesc Galiança, the Llotja del Cànem was the city’s hemp exchange. With the addition of an upper floor and extensions to the ground floor in the late 18th century, the building transformed into a 2nd-level heritage site. The façade, adorned with allegorical paintings by Joaquín Oliet, testifies the passage of centuries. Acquired by Jaume I University in 1999, the Llotja del Cànem underwent a restoration between 2002 and 2007, and reopened as the university’s city headquarters and a venue for exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events. Its most popular events today include photography exhibitions, especially during the Imaginaria festival.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons