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A walk through the history of Barcelona

The first human settlements in Barcelona date back to Neolithic times. The city itself was founded by the Romans who set up a colony called Barcino at the end of the 1st century BC. The colony had some thousand inhabitants and was bounded by a defensive wall, the remains of which can still be seen in the old town.
For over 200 years, Barcelona was under Muslim rule, and, following the Christian reconquest, it became a county of the Carolingian Empire and one of the main residences of the court of the Crown of Aragon. The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona’s position as the economic and political centre of the Western Mediterranean. The city’s Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries.

From the 15th to 18th centuries Barcelona entered a period of decline, while it struggled to maintain its economic and political independence. This struggle ended in 1714, when the city fell to the Bourbon troops and Catalonia’s and Catalans’ rights and privileges were suppressed.
A period of cultural recovery began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the development of the textile industry. During this period, which was known as the Renaixença, Catalan regained prominence as a literary language.

The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona city, culminating in its landmark Eixample district, which showcases some of Barcelona’s most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings. The Catalan Antoni Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as the Casa Milà(known as La Pedrera, the Catalan for stone quarry), the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church, which have become world-famous landmarks.
The freedoms achieved during this period were severely restricted during the Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship. With the reinstatement of democracy in 1978, Barcelonasociety regained its economic strength and the Catalan language was restored. The city’s hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games gave fresh impetus to Barcelona’s potential and reaffirmed its status as a major metropolis.
In 2004, the Forum of Cultures reclaimed industrial zones to convert them into residential districts. An example of the renewed vigour with which Barcelona is looking towards the 21st century.

Source from: Barcelona Tourism

25 experiences or ways to get to know Barcelona! The city and province of Barcelona welcome you with a thousand and one options to enjoy your stay.

Falling in love with Gaudí – Feel in tune with nature and experience its sheer beauty. You’re in the place that is home to the masterpieces by one of the world’s most brilliant architects. Gaudí will inspire you with his colours, textures and organic shapes. More…

Getting close to Picasso – Barcelona had a strong influence on Picasso. Step inside his ground-breaking world, and follow in the footsteps of one of the key artists of the 20th century. More…

Getting down to the music – Enjoy open-air concerts in the parks and magical venues of our towns and cities: intense moments you’ll want to last forever and that will get you moving! More…

Tasting the Catalan gastronomy – The land gives a unique flavour to every wine and product. Discover irresistible flavours at the markets, fairs and restaurants. Surprise yourself! More…

Exploring the coast – Feel the Mediterranean breezes closer than ever! There are 100 km of coastline where you can enjoy a wonderful swim in natural surroundings and stay on to have lunch or dinner. More…

Treating myself to a special gift from a shop – Take a unique memento home with you! A memento that encapsulates the spirit of Barcelona and the love and dedication of the shopkeepers, designers and producers from our unique shops, outlet stores, fairs and markets. More…

Admiring our home-grown art nouveau, modernisme – Discover the gems of industrial modernista architecture and travel back in time while you imagine what everyday life was like in the beautiful mansions: you’ll see the splendour and magic of nature. More…

Breathing in fresh air – Close your eyes and immerse yourself in natural scenery that will fill you with energy and vitality. There are twelve natural parks where you can enjoy the best our region has to offer: go walking, do some sport and be inspired! More…

Sharing moments with the family – Discover all the family activities Barcelona has to offer. We’ll make sure you enjoy days full of experiences with the people you love the most. More…

Enjoying sport – Enjoy your favourite sport in the heart of nature or join in the city’s marathon. Show the best of yourself in Barcelona! More…

Learning at museums – During the school holidays, museums are a great way to educate the kids. Barcelona has a wide variety to satisfy their curiosity. More…

Celebrating popular festivals – Taking part in local festivals is a fantastic way of discovering a region and its people. We invite you to immerse yourself in some of our most iconic traditions! More…

Discovering the talent of the 22@ district – Explore the area that is home to the city’s most creative enterprises. Architecture, innovation and talent brought together in a dynamic, vibrant area with a true passion for design. More…

Imagining historic Barcelona – Barcelona has a history spanning more than 2,000 years: imagine all the people who have lived here and listen to the stories the walls have to tell. More…

Enjoying views of Barcelona from Tibidabo – Escape from the city and discover something new in the magical setting of Tibidabo. Look at the sea, the Eixample district, historic buildings… and fall in love with Barcelona. More…

Marvelling at Montjuïc – Montjuïc is full of surprises: nature, culture, sport, entertainments, walking trails and fresh air. Come along and discover its museums, parks, viewing points and gardens. More…

Admiring Catalan Gothic art and architecture – Marvel at Pedralbes Monastery and Barcelona’s stunning gems of Catalan Gothic architecture. Let yourself be transported by the stories contained within the millennia-old walls. More…

Breathing in the air of the Pyrenees – Get an oxygen boost, view the scenery and prepare to unwind and enjoy the amazing food in the mountain villages. Explore the Pyrenees in full! More…

Walking through charming villages – Discover the beautiful hamlets with a special charm of their own. Look around you! And stop off for lunch. It’s the perfect plan! More…

Enjoying small towns – Do you like the magic of smaller towns? Well, you’ll love the historic centres of the towns near Barcelona where life has a slower and appealing pace. More…

Enjoying natural surroundings -Travel through the counties and create your own bespoke trail that includes the things you like the best: a natural setting that will raise your spirits. You’re sure to come back for more! More…

Exploring 2,000 years of history – Fall in love with the architecture that tells you where we come from. Take a trip back in time to relive what Barcelona was like at different points in its history. More…

Climbing up to Montserrat – Mount Montserrat and its monastery are waiting for you with their spectacular views. A unique, natural setting where you can combine culture, nature and sport! More…

Feeling the thrill of motor sports – When you hear the engines roar you’ll get the ultimate adrenaline rush. The Circuit de Catalunya is your temple to motor sports. Find out about all the activities you can enjoy! More…

Sampling wine tourism – Imagine yourself among the vines, tasting, sampling and sharing. Learn why the wine and cava you’re going to try has the flavour of the landscape. More…

If we’re talking about gastronomy in Barcelona, we can’t fail to mention Catalan cuisine. Catalonia is a gastronomic paradise, where Catalan cuisine is a mouthwatering blend of heritage, produce, terroir, tradition, creativity, innovation… All of these things, together with an endless love of fine-dining culture, make discovering it with your palate a truly appealing option.

Catalonia’s gastronomic heritage can be traced back to medieval times and is still based on the value of produce and terroir stemming from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that reflect the vast wealth of the Catalan landscape: the sea, the mountains, vegetable gardens, orchards and woodland… This tradition has given rise to such popular recipes as escudella i carn d’olla, a type of pot au feu, and a chargrilled vegetable salad known as escalivada, to name just two of the typical dishes that bring the wealth of our produce to your plate. Produce brought in daily to all the city’s food markets and a key ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet, which was awarded Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO in 2010. And, in addition to the exquisite and varied traditional historic recipes, we have to add the creative signature cuisine that has put many of our restaurants at the forefront of cuisine around the world. After receiving such accolades, it comes as no surprise that Catalonia was named European Region of Gastronomy in 2016. 

Source from: Barcelona Tourism

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