Archaeologists have discovered medieval ovens beneath Barcelona’s future Raval Nord health centre. Construction work on the future Raval Nord Primary Care Centre (CAP) has uncovered an archaeological site of “singular relevance”. This discovery reveals industrial remains that rewrite the history of the city centre. Beneath the floor of the deconsecrated Chapel of Mercy, archaeologists have identified medieval ovens dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
This discovery challenges the established timeline of the Raval district. Until now, historians believed this area of Ciutat Vella was not significantly occupied until the founding of the House of Mercy (Casa de la Misericòrdia) in 1581. However, the presence of these earlier industrial structures suggests the zone was active as a workshop hub hundreds of years prior.
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Medieval Ovens Discovered: Rewriting the Timeline of El Raval
The excavation began in January 2025 and intensified last June. It has brought to light what city archaeologists describe as an “exceptional site”. The primary finding consists of kiln structures used for manufacturing ceramics or construction materials.
“We have located remains from the 14th century to the present; what we didn’t know is that we would find medieval ovens,” said Xavier Maese, a technician from the Barcelona Archaeology Service. While similar scattered ovens have been found elsewhere in Barcelona, their presence beneath the Chapel of Mercy was unexpected.
Maese noted that the Raval area was generally thought to be comprised of gardens and open land before the urbanisation of the 17th century. Meanwhile, the discovery of imported Valencian ceramics in the same sediment layers allowed the team to firmly date the kilns to the late medieval period.
Industrial History Unearthed: Medieval Ovens Discovered
The ovens measure two metres by two metres. They appear to have been part of a workshop that took advantage of local natural resources. “There was clay and water,” explained Jordi Ramos, a territorial archaeologist for Barcelona. He added that it was a logical location for a ceramic workshop.
However, the structures likely had a short lifespan. Ramos noted that such kilns deteriorated quickly. Therefore, it was often more efficient to build new ones rather than repair the old. Once abandoned, the land likely reverted to agricultural use before the construction of the House of Mercy complex centuries later.
Alongside the medieval ovens, the team found high-quality tableware, tiles, coins, and metals spanning from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Some items, such as a vinegar cruet, hint at residents with significant economic power. These residents were likely connected to the later hospice administration.
Construction Continues on Schedule Despite Discovery
Despite the significance of the finds, the construction of the long-awaited CAP Raval Nord remains on track for completion by early 2028. The new facility will move medical services from the outdated anti-tuberculosis dispensary to the renovated chapel space.
The archaeological structures themselves will not be preserved in situ. The walls and foundations have been documented, dismantled, and moved to the archaeology service’s warehouse in the Zona Franca. This allows for the necessary excavation of a subterranean floor for the new medical centre.
“Archaeology is part of the work,” Maese stated, confirming that no delays are currently expected. In addition, archaeologists plan to dig another 1.5 metres down over the next two to three months. They acknowledge the possibility that Roman or even prehistoric remains could yet emerge.
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