Historic discovery during the remodeling works of Via Laietana. The works have uncovered the ruins of five ancient houses of medieval origin, probably dating from the 14th century, on the roadway of Fusteria street. Of these medieval dwellings, the ground floor and some basements have been discovered, remains that allow tracing how Barcelona was transformed from the construction of these houses until their demolition, in 1909, with the subsequent construction of Via Laietana and the post office building. During the remodeling, a section of the pavement of the Voltes dels Encants, which formerly opened onto Sant Sebastià square, has also been discovered.
Among the most notable findings there is a 14th-century ceramic pavement, as well as several medieval and post-medieval structures, including wells, deposits, and sanitation networks. On the other hand, archaeological materials from different eras have also been recovered, such as ceramics, architectural and decorative elements from the demolished houses, as well as metals, faunal remains, and glass.
One of the most unique pieces is the image of Saint Anthony of Padua, probably dating from the 18th century and found on the pavement of one of the buildings, a fact that has surprised researchers because images like these "are usually hung on walls and not on the floor," as explained by the archaeologist from the Barcelona archaeology service, Laia Macià.
The remains of this island of houses may be related to those of the Font del Ángel, of similar chronology, previously found in Correos square, which is one of the few public fountains in medieval Barcelona, responsible for supplying water to the port and receiving the first travelers who arrived by sea in the city. Thus, these new findings can provide information about the occupation of this space in the city in medieval times.
Some findings that have surprised researchers since, despite expecting the possibility of finding remains given that "Barcelona is an ancient city, especially Ciutat Vella," as archaeologist Macià explained, the remains could help reconstruct a part of the history of the city and this neighborhood. In total, the archaeological excavation covers an area of 239 square meters, with a length of 36.7 meters and a width of 6.5 meters. The intervention is directed by archaeologist Toni Fernández, under the supervision of the Servei d'Arqueologia de Barcelona (ICUB) and the Servei de Patrimoni Arqueològic i Paleontològic de la Generalitat.