Kilns of Glass in Barcelona and its surroundings (14th-16th centuries)

Abstract

In spite of the municipal regulations of the Middle Ages about the prohibition of setting up kilns of glass in the cities, some remained for a long time. Barcelona is a clear example. This article is about our kilns and the information has been taken from the Archives of Barcelona. The kiln of Viladalls worked in Barcelona from the early 14th century to the end of the 15th century. Other kilns of glass could be found on the outskirts of the city or some were linked with some glaziers masters of Barcelona who worked here. We can see it in the kilns of Mallorca (1352), Badalona (1360), St. Pere de Bigues (1407-1513), St. Vicenç de Vallromanes (1439-84), and Montcada (1486- 89). A new kiln set up in Pla d’en Llull, Barcelona, in the 15th century, was the only one which had the Royal permission until the mid 16^th century.