Llotja (Eastern Calatan:[ˈʎɔdʒə], plural llotjes); in
Aragonese: loncha; in
Spanish: lonja; is a Catalan term for important buildings used for commercial purposes during the
Middle Ages and
Early Modern Ages.
Many were used during the Medieval Ages for fishing and livestock markets or by brokers who used to make intermediaries.[citation needed]
Llotges in the former Crown of Aragon
In Catalonia
Llotja de Barcelona or Llotja de Mar, (1352–1397) (enclosed and renovated in 1774–1802).
The
Casa de Contratación de Indias centralized all of trade of the Americas with Spain from 1503 to 1790, including all types of products. Its headquarters were:
Seville Dockyards (building built in 13th century), was the first seat for the Casa de Contratación de Indias.
General Archive of the Indies (building built in 1584-1598) in Seville, was the most important seat for the Casa de Contratación de Indias.
Alcázar of Seville (building built from 9th until 18th centuries), was other seat for the Casa de Contratación de Indias.