Roman Subterranean Via: A Buried Necropolis Unearthed in Modern Barcelona

The Roman Subterranean Via, an archaeological site, is found in Plaça de la Vila de Madrid. Dating back to the 1st to the 3rd century AD, it is managed by the Museum of the History of Barcelona. Unlike other Roman necropolises, this one lies under the current level of the square, hidden yet not forgotten. It serves as a burial ground for the middle and lower classes, including slaves and freedmen. Notable features include a five-meter wide road leading outside the city walls and connecting the necropolis to Barcino.

Today, three additional monolithic tombstones imported from excavations of the Roman wall in the 1950s are positioned in their original spots, replacing damaged originals. The tombs are arranged in irregular rows, with a wall flanking them on the outside. To date, 85 burials of various types have been identified. The necropolis was rediscovered and excavated between 1956 and 2003, with additional excavations taking place after the initial discovery in 1956.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons