Jaciment del Born

Jaciment del Born is an archaeological site beneath El Born Cultural Centre in Barcelona, preserving the remains of a complete neighborhood from the 18th century. The excavations have uncovered streets, houses, and shops organized in their original layout, offering a direct view of how people lived at that time.

The neighborhood was demolished in 1714 after the Spanish War of Succession, and military fortifications were built over the ruins, which preserved everything below ground. Excavations only began in 2001, revealing this buried community for the first time in nearly 300 years.

The name derives from the Catalan word for a wooded area that once stood here before the city expanded. Walking through the neighborhood today, you can see how the past and present layers overlap in the narrow streets surrounding the site.

The site is accessed through El Born Cultural Centre, which sits in the Old Town and is easily reached on foot or by public transport. The excavations span multiple levels underground, so allow time to explore the different areas and wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven surfaces.

More than 10,000 artifacts were recovered from the rubble, including everyday pottery, toys, and personal items that bring the daily life of residents to vivid detail. These objects range from simple craftspeople to wealthy merchants, showing the diversity of people who lived in this community.