
Day Trip Rucksack
Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack
The Born Cultural Centre, Centre de Cultura i Memòria del Born, Designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias and inaugurated in 1876 to serve as Barcelona's wholesale food market. The Mercat del Born was Barcelona's first cast-iron framed covered market and at the time of construction, it was the largest wrought iron framed building in Europe. It was the city's central distribution food market right until 1971 when the new Mercabarna wholesale market opened in the Zona Franca port area of the city.
Click on any of the 25 images to open full screen gallery player
The market covers these archaeological ruins which were part of the la Ribera district that was demolished in the early eighteenth century. This portion of la Ribera was forcibly demolished to make way for the construction of the Citadel military structure.
Visiting today, you will find the exposed archaeological site known as the Ciutat del Born (old Ribera District). Note how all the houses have been cut down to less than 1 metre of height. This was to provide a clear line of sight for the canons of the citadel fortress to be able to fire into Barcelona city centre to suppress the population and prevent rebellion.
The permanent exhibition about Barcelona from 1700 to 1714 when the city was conquered by King Felipe V of Spain and a period of repression commenced. The Born Cultural and Memorial centre is about Spain's repression of Catalonia during this period.
The Born cultural centre is FREE to enter and walk around inside on the upper walkways.
For a more immersive experience I highly recommend the guided tour. Tickets for the guided tour can be purchased online or in the ticket office by the main entrance from Plaça Comercial.
The 90 minute guided tour of the crockery museum & lower medieval city ruins is available for 4 euros.
This is an excellent tour with a very knowledgeable guide and covers the history of medieval Barcelona providing a unique insight into the lives of citizens during this period.
After completing the guided tour, at sunset (in Winter around 17:30h, in Summer around 20:30h) the illumination inside the large open market space is spectacular.
The born Cultural Centre is accessed step free from street level and the interior space is on one floor with no steps.
Bicycle anchorage points are in the square in front of the Born Cultural Centre.
The building has a locker service in the two entrances for large backpacks, suitcases, coats etc.
Address: Plaza Comercial 12, Barcelona. 08003
Nearest TMB Metro is Arc de Triumf on the red (L1) line and on the Renfe RODALIES train network.
Also Estacio de França on the Renfe RODALIES and REGIONAL is nearby
Pay Parking Parkia El Born below Plaça Comericial.
Click on any one of the 2 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
Circular city walk in Barcelona via Arc de Triumf, Par cuitadella, Catalan Parliament, Barcelona Zoo, Born Cultural Centre, Chocolate museum and abandoned monastaery.
Distance: 3.96 Km
Difficulty: Easy
Return Travel Fare: T-Casual Zone 1
Transport Network: Barcelona Metro