Archaeologists in Barcelona have unearthed a well-preserved medieval shipwreck beneath the city’s former fish market, offering a rare glimpse into history dating back approximately 500 years.
The ship, now named Ciutadella I after the nearby Ciutadella Park, was discovered during excavations at the Mercat del Peix site, where the 10-meter-long and 3-meter-wide section of a ship’s stern was found buried five meters below sea level. The vessel’s structure, featuring over 30 curved wooden ribs, remained intact due to the protective layer of damp sand that encased it, preserving it for several centuries.
Archaeologist Andrea Sanz works on wooden pieces of the medieval ship’s keel, to take samples while preserving the wood after its discovery during excavation work at a former fish market, at the construction of car park, in Barcelona, Spain April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
“It is of great importance because it is unusual to find underwater archaeological remains,” Santiago Palacios Nieto, director of the archaeological team, told Reuters. He noted that the ship mirrors Mediterranean-style construction with Atlantic influences, suggesting it may have originated from Spain’s Basque Country or Galicia.
To prevent deterioration, the excavation team is using preservation measures, including constant rehydration of the wooden remains to maintain appearances as close to their medieval form as possible.
“The wood must stay constantly damp to preserve it,” Delia Eguiluz, a conservation specialist working on the team explained. “When we move it, we’ll dismantle it piece by piece to continue our research.”
A general view shows the keel of the medieval ship during an excavation work at a former fish market, at the construction of car park, in Barcelona Spain April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Further studies have been planned to analyze the ship’s different compartments and structure, which could provide valuable insights into 15th or 16th-century shipbuilding techniques which have since been replaced through the industrial revolution.
The excavation is part of a broader project to build a new biomedical and biodiversity center, which boasts rare finds ranging from a Spanish Civil War air-raid shelter to remnants of Barcelona’s 18th-century history.
Archaeologists work on wooden pieces of the medieval ship’s keel, to take samples while preserving the wood after its discovery during excavation work at a former fish market, at the construction of car park, in Barcelona, Spain April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
