A local landmark and inspired by London’s Covent Garden, the Mercat del Born was the Barcelona’s principal wholesale market until the mid-1970s when the wholesalers were moved to Mercabarna on the city’s outskirts (you can still see a few olive and fish wholesalers around the Born, though they are rapidly disappearing). Recent excavation work inside the building has revealed entire streets and homes dating back to the 18th century.

The discovery of these ruins sealed the edifice’s fate as a new museum and interpretative centre where they will be able to be viewed via glass flooring and a walkway, but there are also plans to have artist studio space available.

The project was scheduled to be finished sometime in late 2011, but that’s what was said in 2005 so we’ll just have to wait and see when it will be done. Once complete, it will be wonderful to traverse the building from the end of the Passeig del Born and continue right onto the Passeig Mercantil and Parc de la Ciutadella on the other side.