Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona (pop. 3,800,000) is the capital city of the Catalunya ( Catalonia ) region of Spain , and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Mediterranean . One of Europe's most atmospheric cities, the residents of Barcelona speak their own language, Catalan. Barcelona 's medieval and gothic past has blessed the city with over centuries worth of unique architecture, art and culture. Barcelona 's rich history of invasion, recovery and development, has made this city decidedly resilient and modern.

History

Barcelona 's colorful history, characterized by invasion and revolt, goes back more than 2,500 years. It was founded by the Carthaginians, and, according to tradition, it derives its name from the great Barca family of Carthage . The city flourished under the Romans and Visigoths, fell to the Moors (8th century), and was taken (801) by Charlemagne, who included it in the Spanish March. In the 9th to 10th centuries, the march became independent under the leadership of the powerful counts of Barcelona , who wrested lands to the south from the Moors, thus acquiring all Catalonia . The counts also won suzerainty over several fiefs in southern France .

The marriage of Count Raymond Berengar IV to the heiress of Aragón united (1137) the two lands under one dynasty; the title, count of Barcelona , was subsequently borne by the kings of Aragón, who made the city their capital, and later the kings of Spain . Under its strong municipal government Barcelona vastly expanded both its Mediterranean trade, becoming a rival of Genoa and Venice , and its cloth industry and flourished as a banking center. Reaching its peak around 1400, the city later shared in the general decline of Catalonia . It was repeatedly (1640-52, 1715, 1808-14) occupied by the French.

Barcelona was always the stronghold of Catalan separatism and was the scene of many insurrections. It was the center of the Catalan revolt (1640-52) against Philip IV of Spain . Later it also became the Spanish center of anarchism, syndicalism, and other radical political beliefs. It was the capital of the Catalan autonomous government (1932-39) and the seat of the Spanish Loyalist government from Oct., 1937, until its fall to Franco on Jan. 26, 1939. Barcelona remains a center of separatism and political liberalism; in the 1950s, it was the scene of sporadic demonstrations against the Franco regime. Present-day Barcelona is a cultural center of Spain , and since the 1970s it has reasserted its Catalan linguistic character. It was the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Barcelona Points of Interest

A handsome modern city, Barcelona has broad avenues, bustling traffic, and striking new buildings. The old city, with winding, narrow streets (Roman walls are still visible), has many historic structures, including the imposing Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (13th-15th centuries) with its fine cloisters, the Church of Santa María del Mar, the city hall, and the Lonja or exchange. Also notable is the Church of the Sagrada Familia (begun 1882), designed by Antonio Gaudí. Barcelona is the site of the Fine Arts Museum of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum , the Contemporary Art Museum , and a noted opera house.