SAGRERA, Guillem

(b. ~1380 Felanitx, d. 1456 Napoli)

Spanish architect and sculptor. He arrived in Palma with his father, as a stonemason. From 1416 he works in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist in Perpignan. In Mallorca he collaborated in the cathedral, where he elaborates the Chapter House, the chapel of San Guillermo, and in the sculptural work of the Mirador door. The sculptures of San Pedro and San Pablo are due to him. His best work in the city is the fish market (Lonja de los Mercaderes) which later served as a reference in the realization of the Valencian market.

He was the originator of the Llotja (Exchange) of Palma de Mallorca (built between 1426-46). After completing this work he went to Italy to work on the interior of Castel Nuovo in Naples.

Exterior view

The Llotja (Exchange) of Palma de Mallorca was built between 1426 and 1446. It is exemplary of similar buildings of this type in Valencia and Barcelona. The exterior has a solid appearance, the four corners being marked by towers. The portals and windows are decorated with Flamboyant tracery.

The hall style interior is impressive for its size and extraordinary vault structure. A mere six columns carry the ceiling, which measures 40 by 28 metres. The originator of this pioneering building was the Majorcan architect Guillem Sagrera, who after completing the work went to Italy to work on the interior of the Castel Nuovo in Naples.

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Interior view

The picture shows the vault of the Llotja.

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