When the city sleeps, history speaks
‘El Born by night’ is a journey into Barcelona’s past through microscopic remains and hidden stories beneath the streets of the 1700s.
Archaeological remains are like the pages of an old book that, if well read, allow us to reconstruct how the inhabitants of a neighborhood lived, worked, and fed themselves. This summer, the Museum of the History of Barcelona invites you to discover these hidden stories with the activity El Born de nit: Night of archaeology, which will take place every Friday from July 4 to September 19.
The Born Centre for Culture and Memory will close to the general public to offer a unique experience, in a combination of science, heritage, and emotion. Participants will be able to sift through organic remains like those found at the Born site and discover what they reveal about the diet, landscape, and health of the men and women of 18th-century Barcelona.
A simple seed or a fragment of bone can tell us what was eaten, which trades were practiced, or what illnesses affected the population. Archaeology, in this context, becomes a powerful tool to reconstruct the daily life of those who once inhabited the streets that today we can walk under the gaze of the night.
After the hands-on activity, the visit continues with a guided tour through the archaeological site at El Born, where the remains of the streets and houses from the year 1700 come to life through historical narration and the attentive eyes of specialists. An exceptional opportunity to connect with history from a new perspective — through archaeology, with the silence of night as an ally. You’ll find more information on the website of the Museum of the History of Barcelona.