Merdisser

The Outer markets

The Manure Seller, as his name indicates, is a vendor of excrement and linked to the Mercadal neighborhood. The first medieval markets were held outside the walled areas, in places that later were the locations of new neighorhoods that ended up integrated fully into the city. The Mercadal neighborhood, as its name explicitly evidences (mercadal means a place, especially a plaza, where a market is located), is a good example of this process of urban expansion. 

Later, when markets were moved inside the city, the land outside the walls became the place where natural products that could disturb neighbors, such as the livestock market or that of manure, offensive but necessary for preparing gardens. 

The Manure Seller’s good nature offsets the stench of the repugnant merchandise. Decked out in peasant Sunday best, he wears corduroy pants, a vest and a white shirt plus the indispensable Catalan cap (barretina), red sash (faixa) and bow tie.