Via Sepulcral Romana consists of the excavated remains of a Roman cemetery that is believed to date all the way back to the 1st Century AD. Here visitors will encounter a series of ancient tombs, historic artifacts, and informational panels that share insights into the attraction’s rich past. Via Sepulcral Romana is managed by the Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA).
History of Via Sepulcral Romana
Via Sepulcral Romana has a long, rich history that’s been given a second life in the twenty-first century as a tourist attraction. Historians think the graves that stand here today are the remains of an active Roman burial ground in use between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. During that time period, Barcelona was a Roman-controlled settlement known as Barcino. Per Roman custom, Via Sepulcral Romana would have been located just outside the city walls of Barcino.
During the 1500s, a monastery was built over the ruins of the Roman cemetery. After the monastery was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, the decision was made to transform the site into a public square—known today as Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. As the square was being built workers uncovered the cemetery, and the decision was made to preserve the discovery as part of the design of the space. Today, Via Sepulcral Romana is located near such major Barcelona destinations as La Rambla, Plaça de Catalunya, and Barcelona Cathedral.
Via Sepulcral Romana Highlights
The highlight of a visit to Via Sepulcral Romana is the chance to stroll through a real-life archaeological site, one where remarkably well-preserved ancient tombs stand just steps from the glitz and glamor of modern Barcelona. There are a few artifacts on display here, too—historic objects like pieces of pottery that were recovered on-site during the excavation.
Within the grounds of Via Sepulcral Romana visitors may also peruse a small information center that features several informative panels. Topics covered by these informative panels include ancient Roman burial rites, the history of Roman development on the site of modern-day Barcelona, and how the attraction was discovered and excavated (just be advised that these panels are in Catalan and Spanish).
No visit to Via Sepulcral Romana is complete without taking some time to bask in the ambiance of the lovely Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. In particular, many visitors are drawn to the striking marble fountain that stands just steps from the cemetery. Designed by the twentieth-century sculptor Lluís Montané i Mollfulleda, it bears the Barcelona and Madrid city coats of arms, multiple decorative fish and sea shells, and is topped by the elegant statue of a stately woman in formal dress.
More to See and Do at Via Sepulcral Romana
Keep reading below for a few more things to see, do, and expect from a visit to Via Sepulcral Romana.
*The Museu d’Història de Barcelona offers several guided tours for groups seeking to get even more out of their museum experience, and arrangements can be made for one of these outings to include a stop at Via Sepulcral Romana. For more information, be sure and check out the official MUHBA website in advance of your trip.
*There are numerous shopping destinations, fine restaurants, and tourist attractions located in the immediate vicinity of Via Sepulcral Romana. A brief visit to Via Sepulcral Romana can easily be folded into any other sightseeing or vacation plans you already have in place.
*One unique thing about Via Sepulcral Romana to keep in mind as you’re putting together a Barcelona itinerary: because of the nature of this attraction—again, it’s an open-air burial ground located in the midst of a bustling square—you can see parts of Via Sepulcral Romana at any time. So if you’re really tight for time but still want to at least take a few minutes to soak in the Via Sepulcral Romana atmosphere, you can do that much without any trouble whatsoever.
*Via Sepulcral Romana is easily accessible on public transportation—it’s covered by both bus and subway routes. Those visitors who plan to take in the hop-on hop-off Barcelona Bus Turístic should note that Via Sepulcral Romana is on that service’s Red Route.
Why Via Sepulcral Romana Should Be on Your Must-See List
History buffs will get a kick out of seeing an ancient Roman cemetery so well-preserved within the heart of a modern European city’s busiest commercial district. Given that Via Sepulcral Romana is located just a block from La Rambla, near some of Barcelona’s most popular stores, hotels, and attractions—as well as the fact that general admission here is only two euros—there’s really no reason not to put this powerful piece of history on your must-see list. You’ll be able to feel as though you’ve experienced something remarkable without needing to spend hardly any time or money on it.