Santa Caterina

Located in what is now Santa Caterina Market, this space encapsulates some of the fundamental events in the history of Barcelona, from the Bronze Age to the latest examples of contemporary architecture. In the 13th century, the Dominican monastery of Santa Caterina was built here, and which later became the first seat of the city's government, the Consell de Cent. In 1837 it was demolished, an event that helped to awaken the public's romantic interest in Gothic monuments, especially thanks to the works of Pau Piferrer. The space later became home to Barcelona's second market. When the market was rebuilt in 2005, following a major architectural reassessment of the site, it was decided that a small corner should be left where the excavations would remain visible.

Visit MUHBA Santa Caterina

Completed in 2005, the renovation of the Mercat de Santa Caterina led to major archaeological excavations in the area. On the site of the old market, remains were discovered that date back almost 4,000 years, to the Bronze Age. The new market, designed by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, includes a space in which the history of this entire area is explained, and which was once the site of one of the city's most important Gothic monasteries.

MUHBA’s heritage space at Santa Caterina shows the results of the research into the successive occupations of this sector of the city through the course of time, from prehistory to the present day.

• Map of Santa Caterina
• The first inhabitants of Barcelona
• Necropolis of the first Christians
• Place of worship
• The old market