El Born Centre Cultural i Memòria (Born CCM)

El Born Centre Cultural i de la Memòria (in english Centre for Culture and Memory), also known as Born CCM, is home to a magnificent archaeological site, with remains of Barcelona from the 1700s, around which has been built a historical space, which is of incalculable historical value.

From the old Market to the Culture and Memory Centre

After the demolition of the walls of the current Parc de la Ciutadella, new opportunities became possible for the La Ribera district, which allowed the construction of the much-needed market, which was known as the Mercat del Born, built between 1874 and 1876 by the architect Josep Fontserè i Mestre.

After nearly 100 years in operation as a market, the building’s structure was renovated in order to be used as an area for exhibitions and various events, until it was decided in 2002 to convert it into the site of Barcelona’s Provincial Library. It was during these works to convert the old market into the library that the archaeological remains were discovered, which initially put the works on hold and then prompted the decision to turn the space into the historical site that stands today, known as Born Centre Cultural in Catalan.

Visits to the Born CCM

The Born Cultural and Memory Centre is divided into various spaces, the most central and important of which is the area housing the architectural remains, which takes up the entire basement level.

The archaeological site

Its sheer size, covering an area of 8,000m2, and its perfect state of conservation make the Born CCM archaeological site unique throughout Europe. Thanks to the existing building as well as the documentation that survives from the time, it has been possible to piece together in detail the daily lives of people in 14th to 17th century Barcelona as well as the events that took place leading up to the War of Succession.

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Travel cards

The remains, which can be found in the basement and observed from the ground floor or visited through one of the guided tours that are organised, corresponds to a part of the district that was called Vilanova de Mar. You can clearly see the roads, squares and remains of the houses from the era, which really helps the visitor to imagine what life was like for the city’s people 300 years ago.

Exhibitions

Thanks to its 5 exhibition spaces, the Cultural and Memory Centre of El Born is capable of housing two exhibitions at the same time (Sala Villarroel, Sala Casanovas), carrying out all sorts of activities, whether leisure or cultural (Sala Moraques), housing a gastronomic space, a bookshop and a gift shop (Sala Castellví) and a small auditorium space that’s located outside the structure of the former market (Sala Comercial, 5).

The Sala Villaroel is used for the permanent exhibition “Barcelona 1700, from its stones to its people”, which focuses on explaining the history of the years running up to the Siege of Barcelona in 1714. As well as explaining the history with the help of different panels (in Catalan, Spanish, English and in some cases French too), many of which are multimedia displays, you can also see a scaled-down model of Barcelona at the time and a large number of objects that were recovered from the site throughout the archaeological excavations before the Born CCM was inaugurated. The Sala Casanovas, on the other hand, is reserved for temporary exhibitions.

Opening hours of the different spaces within the Born CCM

The Centre

Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 20:00.

* Access to the building during these times is free of charge.

Exhibition and archaeological site

Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 20:00.

* You will need to pay to access the exhibitions and the archaeological site, and entry closes 30 minutes before the official closing time.

Bookshop – Bestiari Gift Shop

Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 20:00.

The Moritz Gastronomic Area

From Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 until midnight.

* Once the rest of the Born CCM is closed, you can still access the Moritz Gastronomic Area through the entrance on Plaça Comercial.

Entry cost, and where to buy tickets

The visit to the Born CCM itself is free of charge and you won’t need a ticket. For those wishing to buy a ticket that gives you entry to the two exhibitions and the very interesting and informative audioguide, you can do so via the Born CCM’s website or in their ticket offices on site.

Permanent exhibition

General admission: €4.40
Concessions: €3.08

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Map

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