Introduction a City for the 21St Century History Important Dates and Events
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Introduction Routes and Walking Tours A city for the 21st century 1. From the Anilla Olímpica to Plaça Espanya 2. The Heart of the Eixample History 3. A Tour through the Squares of Gràcia to Avinguda Diagonal Important dates and events 4. A Stroll down La Rambla 5. Barceloneta and Vila Olímpica Living Culture 6. La Ribera, El Born and the Raval Contemporary Barcelona 7. The Gothic Quarter and the Old Jewish District Literature 8. Beyond the Eixample Dret Theatre 9. A Walk from Plaça Catalunya to the Plaça de la Mercè Music 10. Off the Route (but not to be missed) Design Cultural Festivals Surrounding Areas Sitges City Beats Costa Brava Modernism Montserrat La Rambla The Markets Practical Guide Book Terraces and Squares How to get here, How to get around, Useful advice, Where to sleep, Barcelona Festivals Where to eat, Nightlife, Shopping, Activities for children Textos: Merche Gallego Fotos: Lluis Trillo INDEXTraducción: Aisha Prigann Barcelona a city for the 21ST Century Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is not only rest of Spain. And Barcelona never hesitated to tion between the sea and the mountains makes one of Spain's most prosperous cities; it is also take advantage of this privilege and weave the it an ideal place for a wide variety of activities. one of Europe's prime tourist destinations. The incoming influences into its cultural fabric. Barcelona, like many other European cities, has city has a certain indescribable something: an become a cosmopolitan and multicultural city allure that attracts thousands of tourists every The modernist movement and the world- over the years. Immigrants from many, diffe- year, a character that inspires pride in its citi- renowned work of architect Antoni Gaudí also rent countries have made Barcelona their new zens. Barcelona's climate, way of life and cul- contributed to the city's international reputa- home, settling primarily in the Raval and the tural heritage make it a wonderful place to visit tion. Architecture, however, isn't the only art to Gothic Quarter. They have given Barcelona a and live. The 1992 Olympic Games marked a flourish in Barcelona. The city has always had plural character that it didn't have in the past. turning point in the city's history, both in terms a rich cultural, artistic and intellectual life, Perhaps it was the last challenge Barcelona had of urban development and international recog- which found expression in music, theatre and to face to prove its commitment as a tolerant, nition. However, the secret of its success does- literature. Furthermore, this wealth of creative welcoming and cosmopolitan city. n't lie in the Olympic Games alone. After all, out-put is not a thing of the past. Barcelona is that important event took place thirteen years still a place of innovation and new, artistic ten- The best way in which to approach this city is ago, and the city is still growing and develo- dencies. Nowadays, Barcelona is home to cut- with an open mind and a lack of preconceived ping on many different levels. Catalonia as a ting-edge design, hip fashion and avant-garde notions. If you come here with the sole mission whole and Barcelona in particular take pride in architecture, which all help to keep the world of spending your days on the beach, you will having a unique identity. This is manifested in fixated on this Mediterranean city. Barcelona definitely find what you are looking for. many ways but most obviously in the Catalan no longer needs an advertising campaign; its However, by limiting your options, you will language, which differentiates the region and solid, hard-earned and well-deserved reputa- miss out on everything else this unique and its inhabitants from the rest of Spain. tion brings thousands of visitors to the city multifaceted city has to offer. Barcelona is one throughout the year. city with many different faces: traditional and Barcelona has always seen itself as a European historical, modern and avant-garde, trendy and city. Long before Spain joined the E.U. and A truly great city is defined by being something cutting-edge, multicultural and diverse, ancient other Spanish cities discovered their European special to many different kinds of people. and yet completely new. If you meet this city character, Barcelona already celebrated its con- Children, young adults, older adults, locals, with curiosity, you will be rewarded. Take this nection to its continental neighbours. tourists, visitors in the city on business or for guide book along as your travel companion, Barcelona's European identity is largely due to pleasure - Barcelona gives something to each use it as a resource and reference, but above all its proximity to France - a fact that allowed and every one of them, which is what makes it else, let this unforgettable city surprise you. In European influences and cultural movements to such a popular destination. In addition to being the end, the best photo album you can take reach the Catalan capital much earlier than the an attractive cultural centre, Barcelona's loca- home with you is a head full of vivid memories. History The Founding of Barcelona However, this period was not to last very long. Barcelona remained the capital of the new, uni- Barcelona is an open, cosmopolitan and tole- The Moorish army invaded the city, which ted government and began a period of active rant city, character traits owed to more than brought about two, decisive consequences for expansion, helped largely by the open com- 4,000 years of history. Although officially the city. On the one hand, Barcelona was merce across the Mediterranean and the Barcelona was founded by the Romans, evi- almost completely destroyed and, on the other, tariffs collected from the Moorish Taifa dence exists of settlements in this area as early these events led to their independence from Kingdoms. Barcelona's conquests between the as Neolithic times. Frankish rule. The then-governing count, 13th and 15th centuries vastly increased its Borrell II, considered that Barcelona had been territories to include the kingdom of Valencia, betrayed and that the ties of vassalage had been the Balearic Islands, Sicily and Sardinia. broken by the Franks' decision to not come to the city's aid. Borrell II changed the political This period saw the construction of two new face of Barcelona by naming himself Marquis sections of the city wall. One section served to and Duke of Iberia in God's name. protect the annexed towns that had previously lain outside the old Roman wall, and the other This was the dawn of an era that, although section enclosed the agricultural fields cove- complicated, brought about a quick recovery ring the area now known as the Raval. The city for the city. At the beginning of the 11th cen- experienced incredible, economic growth tury, Barcelona invaded Córdoba, which ended throughout this period and became a sought with an important victory for the former as well after destination within the Mediterranean as significant wealth and economic gain. sphere. Many different kinds of merchants, artisans and seafarers flocked to the city in This "compensation" allowed the city to deve- search of personal prosperity. They formed lop at a rapid rate. In addition to this, the other guilds, the majority of which were concentra- Catalan counties began to unite with ted around the city's political centre, the Plaça Barcelona as their capital, which yielded an Sant Jaume. Even today, as you walk through Towards the end of the 1st century B.C., the important expansion, both in terms of territory the maze of little streets in this area, you can Romans established a city called Barcino and influence. see the old guilds reflected in the street names, around what was then the Táber Mountain. long-gone professions recalled in names such Nowadays, the slight incline of this hill can still as Flassaders (blanket-maker) or Sombrerers be noticed when heading up to the Plaça Sant (hatter). Jaume, the square that now covers what was once the Táber. What is interesting is that the This flourishing era came to an end in the 15th Romans also used this exact spot as their poli- century. The bubonic plague and civil wars tical and administrative centre - just like devastated the population, and the military Barcelona does now. The Plaça Sant Jaume is campaigns being fought abroad did little to where both the Barcelona City Hall and the seat ameliorate the situation. Maritime commerce of the Generalitat de Catalunya are located. was increasingly attacked and ransacked by pirates, and the discovery of America in 1492 The Romans encircled their city with imposing wasn't equally favourable to all Spanish territo- city walls, which were maintained and even ries. Aragón suffered rather severe setbacks expanded for centuries thereafter. This severely during this period as it was denied the right to limited the growth of the city and many areas trade with the American colonies until 1778, that are now integrated neighbourhoods, Gràcia almost three centuries after the discovery of the for example, were then separate villages lying New World. outside the city limits. The Middle Ages and the War of Succession Castile did not look favourably upon Between the 5th and 8th centuries, the During the early 12th century, at the height of Catalonia's independence and in 1640 began Visigoths lost control of the city, and Barcelona the middle ages, Barcelona experienced a flou- what has come to be known as the Segadors came under Moorish rule. In the year 801, rishing era of prosperity that affected all War. This war was an attempt by Castile to Charlemagne's troops conquered the city.