Archaeologists in Barcelona have discovered the remains of a medieval shipwreck buried more than five metres below sea level, offering a rare glimpse into maritime activity on the Catalan coast during the 15th or 16th century. The find, named Ciutadella I, was uncovered during construction work for a new mobility services centre at the site of the former Mercat del Peix, near the city’s historic seafront.
The ship was found last month during the final phase of archaeological excavations led by Arqueòlegs.cat as part of a larger urban development project backed by the Barcelona City Council and local research institutions. Though only partially preserved, the vessel measures approximately 10 metres long and more than 3 metres wide, with thirty structural frames and at least seven outer planking boards still intact.
Remains of the wreck of Ciutadella I. Photo: Emiliano Hinojo (Arqueòlegs.cat)
Archaeologists believe the vessel was built using a method known as skeleton construction, a technique that spread throughout Europe in the mid-15th century. The planks are fastened to the frames with wooden dowels and iron nails—hallmarks of shipbuilding in the medieval Mediterranean.
Experts have classified the wreck as a derelict, a term used in underwater archaeology to describe a ship abandoned and gradually buried by sediment. The area where it was found once formed part of the open sea but was transformed by dramatic coastal shifts beginning in 1439, when artificial piers altered the currents and began covering parts of the shoreline with sand and silt. Archaeologists working on the wreck also found organic remains, such as hazelnut seeds and pine cones, which may help refine the ship’s dating.
Archaeologists working on cleaning the remains of the Ciutadella I wreck. Photo: Emiliano Hinojo (Arqueòlegs.cat)
“The remains of the ship are in a very fragile state of conservation,” the archaeological team noted in a statement. “The water-soaked wood is extremely sensitive, and to prevent it from drying out and degrading, it has been kept partially covered with the original sand that surrounded it.”
To ensure the preservation of the ship’s structure, the team has been using photogrammetry and laser scanning to create high-precision 3D models of the wreck without directly disturbing it. The conservation process involves marking and sampling key components and preparing them for transfer in water-filled containers. Later, specialists will carry out desalination and impregnate the wood with a water-soluble wax that reinforces its internal structure, a crucial step to prevent collapse or decay once the material is exposed to air.
Photo: Emiliano Hinojo (Arqueòlegs.cat)
The discovery of Ciutadella I adds to Barcelona’s growing collection of medieval maritime finds. In 2008, a similar ship named Barceloneta I was unearthed near the Estació de França. Dating to the 15th century, Barceloneta I was a northern Iberian vessel, likely of Basque origin, linked to the city’s extensive trading networks. After a six-year restoration, its remains now form part of the permanent display at the Barcelona History Museum, accompanied by a 3D reconstruction and an interactive map of medieval trade routes.
Together, Ciutadella I and Barceloneta I provide valuable insights into medieval shipbuilding and commerce in the western Mediterranean. As archaeologists continue to study and preserve these finds, they help piece together the vibrant maritime life that once connected Barcelona to the wider medieval world.
Archaeologists in Barcelona have discovered the remains of a medieval shipwreck buried more than five metres below sea level, offering a rare glimpse into maritime activity on the Catalan coast during the 15th or 16th century. The find, named Ciutadella I, was uncovered during construction work for a new mobility services centre at the site of the former Mercat del Peix, near the city’s historic seafront.
The ship was found last month during the final phase of archaeological excavations led by Arqueòlegs.cat as part of a larger urban development project backed by the Barcelona City Council and local research institutions. Though only partially preserved, the vessel measures approximately 10 metres long and more than 3 metres wide, with thirty structural frames and at least seven outer planking boards still intact.
Archaeologists believe the vessel was built using a method known as skeleton construction, a technique that spread throughout Europe in the mid-15th century. The planks are fastened to the frames with wooden dowels and iron nails—hallmarks of shipbuilding in the medieval Mediterranean.
Experts have classified the wreck as a derelict, a term used in underwater archaeology to describe a ship abandoned and gradually buried by sediment. The area where it was found once formed part of the open sea but was transformed by dramatic coastal shifts beginning in 1439, when artificial piers altered the currents and began covering parts of the shoreline with sand and silt. Archaeologists working on the wreck also found organic remains, such as hazelnut seeds and pine cones, which may help refine the ship’s dating.
“The remains of the ship are in a very fragile state of conservation,” the archaeological team noted in a statement. “The water-soaked wood is extremely sensitive, and to prevent it from drying out and degrading, it has been kept partially covered with the original sand that surrounded it.”
To ensure the preservation of the ship’s structure, the team has been using photogrammetry and laser scanning to create high-precision 3D models of the wreck without directly disturbing it. The conservation process involves marking and sampling key components and preparing them for transfer in water-filled containers. Later, specialists will carry out desalination and impregnate the wood with a water-soluble wax that reinforces its internal structure, a crucial step to prevent collapse or decay once the material is exposed to air.
The discovery of Ciutadella I adds to Barcelona’s growing collection of medieval maritime finds. In 2008, a similar ship named Barceloneta I was unearthed near the Estació de França. Dating to the 15th century, Barceloneta I was a northern Iberian vessel, likely of Basque origin, linked to the city’s extensive trading networks. After a six-year restoration, its remains now form part of the permanent display at the Barcelona History Museum, accompanied by a 3D reconstruction and an interactive map of medieval trade routes.
Together, Ciutadella I and Barceloneta I provide valuable insights into medieval shipbuilding and commerce in the western Mediterranean. As archaeologists continue to study and preserve these finds, they help piece together the vibrant maritime life that once connected Barcelona to the wider medieval world.
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