Passeig del Born Historic boulevard from cathedral to market
Medieval street with cannon ball and chest street art surrounded by fashion boutiques and art museums. Thriving nightlife cocktail bars and restaurants
About Passeig del Born Historic boulevard
In the 15th century Passeig del Born was a location for jousting tournaments. In the 16th century the victims of the Inquisition were executed here. At the end of the 17th century Paseig del Born was the main square of Barcelona being in the main residential area of prosperous medieval Barcelona.
Passeig del Born during the 17th century was a large square and had game spaces open to the public where games like a version of tennis, and ball games similar to Crockett. Also tables with card players. Passeig del born extended into what is now Plaça comercial and had a vibrant food market, what is now the Born Cultural centre. Passeig del born served as a cross roads between the port activities, shops and the residential areas.
The 1714 conquest of Barcelona by king Philip V of France had a disastrous effect on El born. The Citadel fortress construction was an attempt to control the population of Barcelona and it's construction resulted in the forced relocation of about 20% of the population of Barcelona as the residential housing areas and The Passeig del Born market space were levelled to construct the Citadel fortress (now demolished and converted into Parc Cuitadella.)
Passeig del Born after the construction of the citadel was a public square with one end cut open and facing the cannons of the fortress. When you walk down Passeig del Born by the benches you will see some cannon balls. This is because during the seige of Barcelona 1713-1714 the medieval wall and gate at the end of Passeig del Born was considered the weakest of the city and so was bombarded by cannon to breach the wall.
Sitting on a Stone bench in Passeig del Born is cast iron chest, inaugurated on July 21, 1992 and made by the sculptor and engraver Jaume Plensa Sune (born on August 23, 1955 in Barcelona). The chest represents the tradition that existed in Santa Maria del Mar as a jousting ground for medieval knights. The boxes or chests that different guilds used to store important documents, such as contracts, accounts, internship books.
Passeig del Born after the citadel was demolished became a boulevard rather than a public square linking Basílica de Santa María del Mar to El Born market - Born Cultural Centre.
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