Exploring the Medieval El Born neighbourhood of Barcelona

Description of El Born

El Born is the most fashionable place in the city full of boutique clothes shops for that one-off piece, as well as chic cafes, bars and restaurants. El born also has a vibrant nightlife and is home to many art museums such as The Picasso museum, MEAM and MOCO. El Born is bordered by Via leitana to the left, Barceloneta to the bottom, Parc cuitadella to the right and Plaza Urquinaona on top.

El Born has medieval origins as a settlement built on top of an area used for jousting competitions and celebrations. El born was a part of barcelona that became urbanised by tradesmen and merchants due to it's proximity to the sea and growing barcelona docks. Montcada street was where the wealthiest of Barcelona's merchants built their town houses. Today these houses (or minor palaces) are now home to the Picasso Museum. El born has Santa Maria del Mar cathedral rivalling that of the Gothic quarter Cathedral as well as the Palau de Musica Catalana. El Born was also home to the municipal food distribution market but this has since moved to Zona Franca and the building is now El Born Cultural Centre, An incredible museum space with the remains of medieval houses and streets.

The yellow line of the metro runs down via Leitana with stops at Plaza Urquinaona, Jaime I and Barceloneta. The Red line Arc de Triomf is also near El Born.

Happy Exploring!