Boqueria market ‘sold its soul to the Devil'. Barcelona wants it back
In recent years, however, overtourism has threatened to strip the market of its authentic charm and original function. Instead of selling first-class raw ingredients for locals, stallholders often cater to their new customer base with prepared food of varying degrees of quality.
'La Boqueria sold its soul to the Devil,' Philippe Regol, a renowned food critic based in Barcelona, said.
Now, in an attempt to protect one of Spain's most-visited food markets from turning into a mere tourist spectacle, city officials have unveiled sweeping changes to the rules governing its 178 stallholders.
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