The vessel—believed to have sunk during a storm in the 15th or 16th century when the site was still underwater—has been named Ciutadella I, after the nearby park. A 10-metre-long and three-metre-wide section of the stern was revealed, featuring more than 30 curved ribs and a hull fastened with both wooden and iron nails. The construction is consistent with Mediterranean and European shipbuilding techniques from the mid-15th century onwards.

The ship’s timber is extremely fragile, having been buried for centuries in damp sand. To prevent further decay, the remains are being kept moist and partially reburied during the excavation. The team is currently recording, tagging and collecting samples from the site. The wreck will later be moved to a conservation facility for preservation using water-soluble wax.

This is not the first such discovery in the city. In 2008, another 15th-century ship, Barceloneta I, was found near a railway station. Unlike Ciutadella I, that vessel originated from the Cantabrian region.

Researchers hope that the structure, nails, wood and resin of the newly uncovered vessel will provide fresh insights into medieval shipbuilding and help determine its geographic origin.