hotelsbarcelona24.com - History of Barcelona
Barcino, Berna, Barcelona - many names and even more faces of yet beautiful and cosmopolitan city, the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. Its rich and tempestuous history shaped the current image of Barcelona and gave it an exceptional character.
The list of those who had an influence on Barcelona's history is long and can date back even 4000 years! However, founding of the city is strictly connected to the Romans and the 3rd century BC. In that time Barcelona was already surrounded by its first city walls with its political centre being in the place of today's busy Plaza Sant Jaume. The Roman period left quite a few remarkable sights in the city. Wandering around Barcelona one may unexpectedly find the ruins of of a Roman tower and baths at the Civic Centre Pati Llimona or the Temple of Augustus, hidden just behind a sandwich bar. So why not let the city surprise you?
After the Romans came the period of Muslim control, followed by the flourishing for the city time of the Middle Ages. Already in the 11th century Barcelona was seen as a capital of uniting Catalonian counties. From around this time comes also the story of Catalonian flag, which is the oldest national flag in Europe. According to the legend, the four red stripes on a gold background represent a trace after four bloody fingers left by the king Louis the Pious on a golden shield of Wilfred the Hairy, who was fighting the Saracens at Barcelona.
The growth of Barcelona and constant conquests of new territories like the Kingdom of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Sicily and Sardinia were suddenly stopped by outbreak of Black Death and the civil war. Also the maritime trade suffered from piracy and the discovery of America. However, many buildings dating back to that great for the city time remained, leaving Barcelona with the most important concentration of gothic buildings in Europe like El Palau de la Generalitat, Saló del Tinell, La Llotja, Santa María del Pi, Santa María del Mar, to name just a few.
The consecutive centuries may be marked by periods of rapid growth interchangeable with destroying wars or diseases. These include outbreak of Black Death and Spanish Civil War, War of Succession and first general strike but also, first railway line, World Fair and urban development. 20th century started with the famous Tragic Week and its many barricades and burning of convents. At the same time Barcelona was a centre of cultural avant-garde and later modernism with famous Antoni Gaudí and his creations such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà or La Pedrera, Casa Batlló and many more.
Most recently, Barcelona was a host country for the Olympic Games in 1992 and the Forum of Cultures in 2004. Whatever reason it may be for your visit, Barcelona and traces of its history are unquestionably worth discovering.