Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An early example of town planning, this medieval high street was driven towards the sea
from the road that in the 12th century led northeast from the city walls. It was the city's most
coveted address for the merchant classes. The bulk of the great mansions that remain today
mostly date to the 14th and 15th centuries.
This area was the commercial heartland of medieval Barcelona. Five of the mansions on
the east side of the street have been linked to house the
Museu Picasso.
Across the road, oth-
ers house what is to become the
Museu de Cultures del Món
in 2015. Several other man-
sions on this street are commercial art galleries where you're welcome to browse. If you
promise to drink, you can sip wine or cocktails (both rather expensive) inside the baroque
73; 8pm-2am Tue-Sat, 6-10pm Sun; Jaume I)
at No 20 while listening to baroque music or
operatic snippets (a peek inside isn't allowed without a definitive commitment to consume
when you enter!).
At the corner of Carrer dels Corders and the northern end of the street, just beyond the
19th-century Carrer de la Princesa, stands a much-meddled-with Romanesque chapel, the
out of medieval Barcelona.
HISTORIC BUILDING
BORN CENTRE CULTURAL
free, exhibition spaces adult/child €6/free; 10am-8pm Tue-Sun; Barceloneta)
Launched to great fanfare in 2013, as part of the events held for the tercentenary of the
Catalan defeat in the War of the Spanish Succession, this shiny new cultural space is housed
in the former Mercat del Born, a handsome 19th-century structure of slatted iron and brick.
Excavation in 2001 unearthed remains of whole streets flattened to make way for the much-
hated citadel
(ciutadella)
- these are now on show on the exposed subterranean level.
On the ground floor there are panels giving information about the ruins, along with an ex-
hibition space showing items from the period and explaining in greater depth about the
events surrounding the destruction of the area. There is also a stark and lofty restaurant
serving Catalan cuisine, and a gift shop selling upmarket and high-design souvenirs, along
with books about the story of the region.
MARKET
MERCAT DE SANTA CATERINA
