Remarkable Medieval Vessel Unearthed at Urban Development Site
In a stunning archaeological discovery, experts have uncovered the well-preserved remains of a medieval ship beneath what was once Barcelona’s bustling fish market. The vessel, christened “Ciutadella I,” dates back approximately half a millennium and provides researchers with an exceptional window into medieval maritime technology and Barcelona’s seafaring heritage.
From Market to Maritime Museum
The excavation site, slated for transformation into a new biodiversity and biomedicine center, has proven to be an archaeological goldmine. While previous digs revealed Spanish Civil War bomb shelters and 18th-century artifacts, nothing compares to this extraordinary find.
Archaeologists have successfully recovered the damaged stern section of a substantial vessel that researchers believe sank during a violent storm in the 15th or 16th century, when this neighborhood remained underwater. The excavated portion measures an impressive 10 meters in length by 3 meters wide and features over 30 curved wooden ribs that once formed the ship’s structural skeleton.
“We had anticipated potential maritime archaeological discoveries in this area, knowing its historical proximity to the old harbor and protective quay,” explained Santi Palacios, the project’s lead archaeologist. “After two years of excavation work, we’ve been fortunate to uncover this extraordinary vessel.”
Preservation Challenges and Historical Value
The ship’s wooden components remain in an extremely delicate state, requiring specialized conservation techniques. The archaeological team has maintained constant moisture levels and protected the timbers with the same sand in which they were discovered to prevent degradation.
“Keeping consistent moisture is crucial for preserving the wood’s integrity,” noted Delia Eguiluz, a restoration specialist working on the project. “When relocating the vessel, we’ll need to carefully disassemble it component by component to continue our research.”
The team has begun meticulously documenting and tagging each element while gathering material for additional analysis. Eventually, the wreck will be transferred to a specialized facility where it will undergo treatment with water-soluble wax to strengthen and preserve its structure.
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Mediterranean Maritime Legacy
What makes Ciutadella I particularly valuable is its construction methodology, which exemplifies classic Mediterranean shipbuilding techniques from the mid-15th century. The vessel’s framework was fastened using both wooden and iron nails—a characteristic building approach found throughout Mediterranean and European vessels of that period.
This discovery follows the 2008 unearthing of another 15th-century vessel, known as Barceloneta I, found near a city railway station. Unlike the Mediterranean-style Ciutadella I, the Barceloneta I represented northern Spanish shipbuilding traditions.
“This represents a truly significant find for naval history,” Palacios emphasized. “Having two perfectly documented examples of medieval shipbuilding from Barcelona provides invaluable comparative data for researchers.”
The archaeological team believes that comprehensive analysis of the wood and resins used in Ciutadella I will help determine its exact origin and contribute vital knowledge about medieval maritime technology and trade networks.
This discovery not only enriches Barcelona’s archaeological heritage but also provides a tangible connection to the city’s maritime past, when this now-vibrant urban neighborhood lay beneath the Mediterranean waves.
