I've just recently returned from a month spent travelling in southern Europe. As part of that, I spent several days in the beautiful city of Barcelona. I spent time following the various parts of the festival of La Merce (more on that at another time), but on one particularly fascinating day, I discovered that a city-wide museum organization (MUHBA - Google it) operates a fascinating museum complex in Placa del Rei.
When I say "in" I mean "in" - the exhibits here are part of an incredible archaeological dig that lies UNDER Placa del Rei. Decades ago, when excavations were underway for the relocation of the Gothic palace that now occupies much of the space above ground, the ruins of an enormous section of ancient Roman Barcino were discovered below ground. This is an incredible place; fragments of Roman walls and the shops that once lined the streets are visible once again. You'll see remnants extending from the Roman era in 15 BC to a large part of a 3rd century AD basilica that once stood here.
To me, those basilica remnants are remarkably enthralling. There's much more of them, and more recognizable elements. You can actually walk through parts of that basilica, in the footsteps of those long-gone worshippers. Religious or not, the haunting remains of this place will stay with you.
Here's a link to Barcelona Lowdown with some further detail, and another to the History Museum of Barcelona.
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