Barcelona's old fish market reveals a 15th-century shipwreck, which might hold secrets

Time of India

01-05-2025

History that got lost to time and remains buried under the land has always made humankind curious. May it be the sunken cities of ancient civilizations or the forgotten relics lying beneath our feet, archaeological discoveries give a rare window into lives and worlds long gone.
In coastal cities like Barcelona, where the past and present intertwine along cobbled streets and historic harbors, the ground olds centuries of untold stories about shipwrecks, boats and how life might have been in the older times.
Every excavation has the potential to find fragments of the city's evolution from Roman foundations to medieval maritime power. The discovery of long-lost ships not only propels research but also sparks a deep poetic curiosity in all of us. This time, with the discovery of a medieval ship beneath the old Mercat del Peix, Barcelona has once again offered a piece of its hidden past.
The wooden hull of a centuries-old ship has been found in Barcelona, beneath the Mercat del Peix that was the old fish market in the city. The ship has been tentatively dated to the 15th or 16th century and has been named 'Ciutadella I' after the nearby park.
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What does the hull look like?
Measuring more than 30 feet in length and about 10 feet wide, the vessel was found in good condition because of the damp, waterlogged soil that preserved the wooden structure. 'It's not every day we come across a ship of these dimensions,' said Santi Palacios, lead archaeologist on the project from the heritage group Arqueòlegs.cat, during a press conference, according to Catalan News. He described the discovery as 'exceptional' and said that it has the potential to provide important information into the 'context of Barcelona's old port.'
Where was the ship discovered?
The ship was found more than 18 feet below sea level and is classified as 'derelict,' a marine archaeology term for vessels abandoned and later buried by sediment. Excavation teams believe the ship was likely a cargo vessel used in regional trade along the Mediterranean coast.
The wooden structure, made up of about 30 ribs held together by a mix of iron and wooden nails, remains extremely delicate. To prevent deterioration, archaeologists have decided to leave it in situ for now, covering it with its original soil and applying wet sponges to retain moisture. 'The wood has to be kept constantly damp so as to keep it in a good state,' said Delia Eguiluz, a restorer on the project, in an interview with The Guardian. 'When we move it, we'll have to dismantle it piece by piece so we can continue our research.'
The conservation team will begin by noting the structure using 3D imaging. Once disassembled, the individual parts will be transported in water-filled containers to maintain their condition. Specialists will then inject a hydro-soluble wax into the wood to strengthen its internal fibers, ensuring the ship can eventually be reassembled for study or display.
What are the other similar discoveries?
This isn't the first medieval vessel discovered in Barcelona. In 2008, archaeologists found a similar ship called 'Barceloneta I' near the Estació de França. That ship originated from Spain's Cantabrian coast, representing Barcelona's position as a trade hub between regions.
How is the recent discovery different from the previous ones?
'Ciutadella I,' by contrast, is believed to have come from the Mediterranean coast. Further studies, including radiocarbon dating and resin analysis, are expected to confirm its origins.
'We'd thought some archaeological boat remains might turn up on this site,' Palacios, a Spanish archaeologist, told The Guardian, 'which is near the port and the artificial stone quay that protected the port, and which was a working zone in the 15th and 16th centuries. Two years later, we were lucky enough to find a boat.'
Since excavations began in March 2023, the site has also found other historical layers, including remnants of an 18th-century citadel and a Spanish Civil War air raid shelter. With only 85% of the site excavated so far, archaeologists are hopeful that even more discoveries may lie ahead.
'This is a very important discovery,' Palacios said. 'It's not just about finding one boat because we now have two examples of perfectly documented naval construction in the city of Barcelona.'