Barcelona history
You are here:
Travel Guides > Spain > Barcelona > History
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.
Barcelona travel deals
- Barcelona flight + hotel 5 night $837
- $63/night & up - Hesperia Metropol - Barcelona, Spain - 53% Off $63
- Europark Hotel Barcelona Barcelona Hotelonly $98
- Vincci Arena Barcelona Hotelonly $100
- H10 Montcada Barcelona Hotelonly $105
- Caledonian Barcelona Hotelonly $122
- Grand Hotel Central Barcelona Barcelona Hotelonly $168
No reviews have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.
Read our members' travel tips about Barcelona
La Pedrera >> added on October 28, 2009, by erato
Maybe it's enough if I say the name Antoni Gaudi. He was the architect of the building which gives home to many exhibitions and is a 'must see' of Barcelona.
The building itself does not have one straight line, it's all like waves everywhere. It chimneys look like soldier helmets and the balconies are made of iron following the sand-dune like aspect of the building.
It was originally designed to be a block of flats. Many people didn't want to move in saying that their furniture would not fit because of the wave-like walls.
Now there is a flat called El Pis which is decorated as in the time it was inhabited. It serves now as a museum, very interesting, full of the memories of the Spanish bourgeois of the age.
There is an exhibition about Gaudi's life and work in the attic. It is great, the guy was a genius, I think. :)
There are also a free contemporary art exhibitions on the first floor, opened for the public free of charge.
What our community has to say about Barcelona
Cuisine, by lindamura
Browse our members' Barcelona galleries to get a better impression of the place
Show other destinations in Spain.
| $825 RT |
| vayama.com Check price |
| $973 RT |
| jetcombo.com Check price |
| $978 RT |
| airfare.com Check price |
| $1068 RT |
| jetcombo.com Check price |
| $1122 RT |
| airfare.com Check price |
| $1190 RT |
| vayama.com Check price |
| $1450 OW |
| vayama.com Check price |
| $1487 OW |
| jetcombo.com Check price |
| $2472 OW |
| airfare.com Check price |
| $3788 OW |
| cfares.com Check price |

Barcelona