Barcelona History

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Barcelona, History – Early Times

The story has it that Barcelona was founded by Hercules, even before the birth of the city of Rome and that after its destruction, it was rebuilt by the father of Hannibal, who chose the name of the this amazing town Barcino, after his family. Another legend claims that the founder was actually Hannibal’s father.

Under the Roman domination this small town met a period of development, due to its strategic position and its role as a harbor. With the passage of time the city minted its own coins and continued to evolve from a commercial and economic point of view. It was soon conquered by the Visigoths and the Moors and later on by Charlemagne’s son, who transformed this beautiful city into the seat of the Carolingians.

Barcelona, History – Middle Times

The trade became an important occupation for the inhabitants of this town, but once with the colonization of the New World, the Mediterranean commerce became less important. However, Spain was living its Golden Age, due to the unification of the Spanish kingdoms and to the riches that were brought back from America. This has led to the numerous rebellions that ended with the fall of the domination of Catalans over the city of Barcelona.

With the end of the 18th century, the city became an important harbor and deposit, which favored the Industrial Revolution to take place in Spain too.

In the years to come Barcelona History is characterized by a period of political turmoil. The city went through a civil was and fell into the hands of the Nationalists during the 20th century. But once again, this amazing city proved that it knew how to get over any difficulty and transform every fall into something positive. Thus, in the period to come, the city met a period of powerful urbanization and a significant increase in the number of population.

Barcelona, History – The Modern City

The transformation of Barcelona into the modern city it is today has two main causes: one is the integration of Spain in the European Community and the other is the choice of Barcelona as the host of the Olympics in 1992. This has helped to the modernization of the city but also to its publicity, thus Barcelona becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe.

The agitated but interesting Barcelona History is a major point of interest among the visitors, together with Madrid History and Zaragoza History.