"Benvingut a Barcelona!" a Barcelona Travel Page by MM212

From an architectural perspective, Barcelona is probably the most interesting city to visit worldwide. The variety, originality and creativity of its architecture is uncontested in this world, spanning from Roman times until the modern age. Barcelona harmoniously blends old and new, traditional and modern, and leaps forward while preserving and glorifying the past. Beyond that, Barcelona is a sophisticated European city which offers visitors an elegant nightlife, delicious cuisine and intriguing museums.

Founded by the Carthaginians as Barcino in 230 BC, Barcelona eternalises its founder's name, Hamil Barca, father of Hannibal. Soon after its founding, the city passed on to Roman hands and was officially renamed Colonia Faventia Julia Augusta Pia Barcino as it rose to strategic importance and acquired the architectural imprint that has survived in the old quarters of the city to this day. Then came Christianity and the Visigoths who lasted until 717 AD when the Moslems captured the northeast corner of the Iberian Peninsula. The Moslem presence in the city continued over 80 years only to come to an end by the Franks from the North. In the following centuries, Barcelona became the capital of an autonomous, then independent Catalonia which gained tremendous prosperity and power. However, through royal marriage, Catalonia was united with Spain in 1479 and began its love-hate relationship with the rest of the Iberian Peninsula along with a period of decline. Caught between the wars in Europe and internal struggles in Spain, in the 18th century Catalonia found its language banned and people oppressed. An economic recovery in the following century made Barcelona lead the industrialisation of Spain which in turn resulted in a Catalan cultural Renaixença, i.e. renaissance. This cultural revival was strongly expressed in literature, art and architecture, particularly a Catalan innovation dubbed Modernisme. This defining period shaped the city and its culture, and produced its much celebrated Modernista architecture.

For examples of Barcelona's Modernista architecture, take a look at the Travelogues: "Modernista Buildings of Barcelona" and "More Modernisme in Barcelona."

I've been to Barcelona twice, first in February 2005 and then again in June 2008. I very much look forward to visiting again in the future.