Rare ‘Ciutadella I’ Vessel Offers New Glimpse Into Medieval Mediterranean Seafaring

Construction workers preparing to build a biomedical research facility in downtown Barcelona made an unexpected and historically significant discovery this month: the remains of a 15th-century wooden ship buried 18 feet below ground.

Measuring approximately 33 feet long and 10 feet wide, the vessel—now nicknamed Ciutadella I after nearby Ciutadella Park—is believed to have sunk during a violent Mediterranean storm more than 500 years ago. The ship’s unexpected reappearance has excited archaeologists, who now see an opportunity to expand understanding of medieval maritime life and shipbuilding techniques in the region.

A Time Capsule Beneath the Mercat de Peix

The medieval vessel was found beneath the site of the former Mercat de Peix, a historic fish market in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood. This area, once at the edge of the sea, has since been reclaimed by the city, explaining how a seafaring vessel came to be trapped inland beneath layers of urban development.

According to the Barcelona City Council Archaeology Service, the ship was classified as a “derelict”—a vessel long buried and preserved under layers of sediment. Remarkably, the skeleton of the ship remained largely intact, offering rare insights into how such boats were constructed and operated in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Uncovering Medieval Shipbuilding Secrets

Initial examination shows that Ciutadella I was built using a technique known as “skeleton construction”, where the framework—or ribs—of the vessel was assembled first and then covered with hull planks. This method became increasingly common across Europe from the mid-15th century onward and allowed for greater precision and larger-scale vessel production.

Key structural elements of the ship include:

• 30 curved wooden ribs forming the hull’s internal structure

• At least 7 outer hull planks

• A combination of wooden and iron nails securing the construction

These features suggest a hybrid approach, blending traditional Mediterranean wooden joinery with newer techniques using metal fasteners.

Fragile but Full of Promise

Though the ship’s wooden remains are fragile—saturated from centuries underground—they are being carefully preserved on-site. The Barcelona Archaeology Service has buried the exposed parts in sand to prevent them from drying and cracking, a common threat to waterlogged wood.

Plans are in place to relocate Ciutadella I to a specialized conservation facility, where it can be properly stabilized, studied, and potentially displayed to the public in the future.

Barcelona’s Changing Shoreline

Beyond its shipbuilding insights, the find also sheds light on Barcelona’s shifting geography. In medieval times, the coastline stretched farther inland than it does today. The current inland position of the wreck highlights how urban development and land reclamation have dramatically altered the city’s relationship with the sea.

As excavation and conservation efforts continue, researchers hope the Ciutadella I will answer longstanding questions about:

• Trade routes and economic patterns in 15th-century Catalonia

• The evolution of maritime technology in the western Mediterranean

• How cities like Barcelona adapted to rising maritime demands during the late Middle Ages

The vessel is one of only a handful of medieval ships discovered on land in this region, making it a rare archaeological treasure that ties together maritime history, urban development, and historical craftsmanship.