Medieval defenses, water infrastructures, and old education center found in La Rambla renovation works

The renovation works currently ongoing on Barcelona’s iconic La Rambla boulevard have uncovered several archaeological finds that shed light on the city’s history.

Among the most notable discoveries are the walls of the former Estudi General, segments of medieval fortifications, and 18th-century water collectors.

The work is being carried out in segments to guarantee pedestrian access and public services while allowing for documentation of the finds.

According to Òscar Matas, the archaeological director overseeing the first phase of the project, this initiative is unprecedented in scale for La Rambla. "It gives us a comprehensive view, which is very valuable," he told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Xavier Maese, the technical lead of Barcelona's Archaeology Service, echoed this sentiment, and noted that potential discoveries were anticipated in the project’s planning phase.

Challenging process

The renovation process is unique due to La Rambla's status as a bustling and emblematic street, meaning the work must be conducted segment by segment, slowing the whole process down.

"Access for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and regular traffic must be maintained," Matas explained.

"We excavate one side first, then the other. It’s not possible to dig across the full width, so we work in small sections."

While this method is less invasive, it is also slower and more complex. "We encounter fragmented archaeological sites, which complicates the excavation due to space constraints and the nature of the project itself," he added.

Discoveries along La Rambla

Archaeological finds have been uncovered at various points along the Rambla.

Remains of the Estudi General de Barcelona have been found, including walls from a building constructed in 1536. This institution, a precursor to the University of Barcelona, was integrated into the medieval city walls and occupied the upper La Rambla area, near modern-day Plaça de Catalunya.

In the early 18th century, the building was converted into a military barracks before being demolished in 1843 to make way for the Isabel II gate.

A section of the La Rambla wall from the late 14th century was discovered on the corner of Plaça de Catalunya. This wall extended to Drassanes, encircling the present-day Raval neighborhood.

Six pillars from a 16th-century bronze cannon foundry, Real Fundición de Artillería de Bronce de Barcelona, were unearthed. The foundry, established by the city council to defend Barcelona, was dismantled in the late 18th century when La Rambla was transformed into a boulevard.

Part of the northern tower of the medieval Boqueria gate was found, a key component of the city’s defenses from the mid-14th century. This gate and the La Rambla wall no longer had a defensive purpose after the Raval wall was constructed later that century.

Three stone water collectors were identified around the Carrer del Cardenal Casañas area, with ceramic pipes indicating they carried clean water. These are believed to date to the 18th century when La Rambla was being urbanized. Over 300 meters of this water collection infrastructure has been documented so far.

A segment of the mid-14th-century medieval wall around Plaça del Teatre was uncovered, following the course of a former stream and doubling as a retaining wall during floods. Evidence of past floods, such as accumulated materials like earth, stones, and medieval ceramics, was also found here.