Les Sorres X

A mediaeval vessel

Handy information
Les Sorres X
A presentation of the mediaeval vessel Les Sorres X, following completion of the processes of recovery, conservation and preparation for exhibition and display of the boat. The vessel was unearthed in Castelldefels in 1990 during construction work for the Canal Olímpic, and has been dated to the second half of the 14th century. It is one of the few mediaeval boats used for transporting goods that have been conserved in the Mediterranean, and thus it represents a unique opportunity for academic research and disseminating information to the general public on coastal sailing at that time.


After the vessel was discovered, the Centre d’Arqueologia Subaquàtica de Catalunya of the Generalitat of Catalonia carried out the dismantling, restoration and preservation of the boat. It has been at the Museu Marítim de Barcelona since 2011, where it has been undergoing, since 2015, the necessary preservation and consolidation work for it to be displayed at the museum.


Research has shown that vessels in the Mediterranean did not change much in form over the course of recent centuries, as can be seen from the similarity of this mediaeval vessel to later boats built in the 20th century.


Together with Les Sorres X, there are two vessels from the early 20th century on display which show similar features to the mediaeval boat. These two pieces are from the Museu Marítim de Barcelona collection: the traditional fishing boat Papet, built in Blanes in 1907, and the sailing boat Madrona, built in Badalona in 1924.


To complete the exhibition, there are several panels containing information on the world of sailing in the 14th century, including a mediaeval-inspired graphic based on drawings found on a polychrome wood beam from the first quarter of the 14th century which is conserved at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC). There is also an audiovisual display showing the restoration process carried out at the Maritime Museum of Barcelona.

CONTENTS

Date

  • Collection

Place

  • Naus de les Drassanes (naus 5, 6 i 7)

Languages

English / Castellano / Català