The capital city of the province of Catalonia, Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain and one of the oldest settlements in the peninsula. The beginning of the city is clouded in myth and mystery according to the two legends that explain the origin of the historical Barcelona. One legend makes Hercules, son of Zeus, the founder of Barcelona, four hundred years before the building of Rome, and then it is said to have been rebuild by Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal. The second legend attributes the foundation of the city directly to Hamilcar Barca who called the settlement after his family name.
Barcelona later became a Roman castrum (a military camp) and a colony, surnamed Faventia. There are still Roman vestiges to be cherished by tourists, who visit Barcelona, exposed by Placa del Rei. The map of the historical center still shows the Roman grid-planning of the city. Some parts of the ancient Roman walls were incorporated in the La Seu Basilica, said to have been built in the first half of the 4th century. The early 5th century brought a new culture and new conquerors to write the history of the Barcelona: the Visigoths, followed by the Moors in the 8th century.
It was in Barcelona that the expansion leading to the creation of the Crown of Aragon started in the first place, and it was to incorporate Barcelona, that Napoleon extended his French Empire. What imprints did all these historic changes leave on the face of the city? To the fascination of the modern tourists, Barcelona offers a magnificent sightseeing tour, worthy of its history. There is the Barri Goti (the Gothic Quarter – in Catalan) that houses the most famous buildings of Barcelona, a great part of them dating back to the Middle Ages or the Roman times.
Right at the very centre of Barri Goti is La Seu Cathedral, the construction of which began in 1298 and lasted to the 15th century. This Gothic Cathedral is the demonstration of the Catalan and Spanish power. Another great attraction of an even bigger calibre is the work of Antoni Gaudi, the architect that gave La Sagrada Familia – The Temple of the Holy Family to Barcelona and to the world. Still under construction, the 19th century temple is overwhelming for everyone who sees it.
If you choose to visit Barcelona at its peak, Las Ramblas is the place to be. The most famous boulevard in Barcelona starts in the huge Placa Catalunya (The Catalunya Square) and ends right in the harbour of Barcelona. The wide pedestrian area in the middle of the boulevard makes it the ideal place to meet people and street artists. Then there is the Hill Montjuic or the Jewish Mountain, which has become a landmark for Barcelona, a huge park right above the harbour. Montjuic is worth visiting for its great sporting and cultural services and for the impressive view over the whole city.
Built on the coasts of the Mediterranean, Barcelona prides with some of the most wonderful beaches in Europe. Close to the centre of the city – follow the Ramblas Boulevard – the warm beaches attract thousands of tourists in summer time. If you choose to walk to the harbour you’ll get the chance to admire the Monument dedicated to Columbus, Monumento a Colom, a memorial to the great Spanish explorer. Since you are on the beach, try Can Majo, one of Barcelona’s premier seafood restaurants. You will be totally won over by the taste of the Mediterranean food surrounded by a splendid sea view. As for the rest of the beauties of Barcelona, they are for you to discover. You’ll feel spoilt by the richness and the generosity of one of Spain’s oldest cities.