A 500-year-old shipwreck uncovered beneath a Barcelona fish market is rewriting the city’s maritime legacy and delaying construction of a cutting-edge science center.
At a Glance
- 500-year-old shipwreck “Ciutadella I” found beneath former Mercat de Peix
- Mid-15th-century Mediterranean-style vessel discovered five meters below surface
- Site planned for new biomedicine and biodiversity research facility
- Excavation also revealed WWII-era shelter and 18th–19th-century structures
- Ship to be dismantled and preserved for archaeological research
Maritime Treasure Uncovered
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably preserved medieval shipwreck during excavations beneath Barcelona’s old Mercat de Peix fish market. The ship, dubbed Ciutadella I, is around 10 meters long and 3 meters wide, built with 30 curved ribs and seven hull planks—hallmarks of mid-15th-century Mediterranean boat construction. According to Euronews, the find lies over five meters below the seabed, beneath what will soon become a state-of-the-art science complex.
This discovery highlights Barcelona’s historical role as a thriving maritime hub. The excavation site has also yielded a 1938 air raid shelter, remains from the 18th-century Bourbon Citadel, and the foundations of the 19th-century Old Fish Market, according to Reuters.
Watch Euronews’s video on the find at this link.
Preservation and Research Efforts
Preserving the ship poses serious logistical and scientific challenges. Archaeologists have covered the wooden vessel in sand to prevent it from drying and deteriorating. “The wood has to be kept constantly damp so as to keep it in a good state,” explained archaeologist Delia Eguiluz. “When we move it, we’ll have to dismantle it piece-by-piece so we can continue our research,” she told Euronews.
Samples taken from the ship are being analyzed to learn more about the materials and techniques used in medieval maritime construction. This effort could offer rare insights into trade routes and shipbuilding practices in the Western Mediterranean during the 1400s.
Historical Significance
The discovery of Ciutadella I marks only the second time a medieval shipwreck has been found in Barcelona. The first, Barceloneta I, was uncovered in 2008 and is preserved at the Barcelona History Museum. These discoveries reinforce the city’s status as a critical node in Europe’s maritime network during the late Middle Ages.
“We’d thought some archaeological boat remains might turn up on this site, 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,” said archaeologist Santi Palacios in Euronews. “Two years later, we’ve been lucky enough to find a boat.”
Watch more excavation highlights at this video link.
The recovery of Ciutadella I is a vivid reminder of how buried remnants of the past continue to shape modern urban narratives—especially in a city whose history flows as deeply as its ancient harbors.
