The Arcades: Boxes for the Nobility

 Or how The Arcades was built as a "VIP box" for the nobility, only to become a market.

On the side of Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución), also known as Castle Square (Plaza del Castillo or formerly Plaza Mayor), a striking yellow structure raised on sandstone columns catches the eye (sandstone columns of the Tuscan order). This is "Los Soportales" (The Arcades), built in 1725. What appears to us today as a beautiful architectural gallery was, in the 18th century, the equivalent of "VIP boxes." Noble families from Cehegín purchased them to watch bullfights, markets, and religious festivals from an elevated vantage point, without having to mingle with the crowds.

But history has a way of taking unexpected turns: a century later, in the 19th century, the arcades were walled in to house meat and fish stalls. Yes, those exclusive aristocratic boxes ended up becoming the town's butcher shops!

And, which is the use for nowadays? The City Council refurbished the interior space, those old rooms that had been closed off since the 19th century, to transform it into a cultural venue managed in collaboration with local associations. Today, it is used to host art exhibitions, displays of historical artifacts, and cultural or film-related activities.

From this panoramic view, you can see where is located.