Old Born Market. Born Cultural and Memorial Centre
An archaeological route through Barcelona’s history
One of the most remarkable iron architecture markets in Barcelona is home to an important modern age archaeological site. At the large building that was the market of the Born area you can discover the history of the Ribera district, which was razed by King Philip V after the War of the Spanish Succession.
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Why visit Born Cultural and Memorial Centre?
Born Cultural and Memorial Centre is located on the site of the old Born market, Barcelona’s first large iron building and, along with Sant Antoni Market, the city’s most important in terms of architecture. Designed by Josep Fontserè i Mestre and built from 1874 to 1876, it is a market with a rectangular floor plan, with two large structures with domes at the intersections and four smaller structures. It rests on cast iron columns and is covered by a flat roof covered in glazed tile.
Excavation work undertaken in the subsoil of the old market in 2002 unearthed an archaeological site considered to be exceptional in terms of size and condition. The medieval and modern remains correspond to 42 streets and 60 houses that formed part of the Ribera district, which was razed by King Philip V to construct a military citadel following the War of the Spanish Succession.
Now, following the excavation, restoration and museum work, the old Born market has become a cultural centre and Spanish War of the Succession interpretation centre, which also hosts literary, musical and theatrical activities.
How do you get to the Born Cultural and Memorial Centre?
On the Red Route of Barcelona Bus Turístic hop off at the Pla de Palau – Parc de la Ciutadella stop, from where you can walk to the old Born market.
For the most curious of you
- Did you know? The discoveries found at the old market contain elements from the Roman period, including a villa and an imperial necropolis. There are also remains from the Middle Ages that allow you to follow the construction of the 10th-century Rec Comtal irrigation canal and the urbanisation and expansion of the Ribera district from the 13th and 14th centuries to the 16th century. Moreover, the site helps you understand how the district was transformed during the War of the Spanish Succession and you can even see the cannonballs that Philip V’s army fired at the city.
- Local’s tip: If you want to visit the Born Cultural and Memorial Centre, take a look at the programme of events, including visits that focus on the history of the Ribera district, taverns and inns in 1700, and the nightlife of the district.
- A must: To experience one of the defining moments of modern Barcelona and Catalonia.
