There are two Spanish legends on the founding of Barcelona. One legend says that Barcelona was founded by Hercules 400 years before the building of Rome, but according to the other legend, the city was founded by the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, in the 3rd century BC, and it has got its name from the great Barca family of Carthage. Barcelona is the capital of Spain’s autonomous region, Catalonia. Located in the comarca of Barcelonès, the city has always been the focus of Catalan separatism and striving for its independence. Today’s Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan and economically most active cities of the world.
Barcelona is the center of Modernist architecture. It is particularly known for Antoní Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces. Some of the major works of Gaudí include Casa Vicens, Palau Güell, College of the Teresianas, Church of Colònia Güell, Casa Calvet, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Park Güell, and Sagrada Família.
La Sagrada Família, one of the major works of Antoní Gaudí, is still under construction in Barcelona. The construction of the monumental Roman Catholic basilica began in 1882, and Gaudí worked on the architectural gem for over 40 years and devoted the last 15 years of his life solely to the this project.
St. George's Day is the National Feast in Catalonia. It is known as “Diada de Sant Jordi” in Catalan. In Barcelona, St. George's Day, 23 April, is traditionally celebrated by gifting roses and books to loved ones. Inspired from the custom, UNESCO declared the day as the International Day of Books.
La Rambla is the major center of activities in Barcelona. It is an iconic & busy street in central Barcelona. It is the place where you can enjoy delicious Spanish foods at many restaurants, and find the finest places for shopping. It’s an extremely popular place, with an average of about 150,000 people walk along it every day. Interesting!
Barna Centre – Barri Gòtic is the center of the old city of Barcelona. It has many buildings dating from medieval times, and some even from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. It’s a popular tourist attraction that attracts over one million visitors every week.
Portal de l'Àngel is one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Spain. It is located in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona by Plaça Catalunya. The thoroughfare is so popular that around 3,500 people walk through it every hour. It’s really amazing!
FC Barcelona is a famous sports club based in Barcelona. The club is best known for its football team. With the seating capacity for 100,000 people, FC Barcelona is the biggest privately owned stadium in the world. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Barcelona.
Barcelona Wax Museum, officially known as Museu de Cera, is the Spain’s answer to the Madame Tussaud’s in London. Located at the port end of the Ramblas in a rather old-fashioned 19th century building, the museum features world’s most famous sports personalities, musicians and statesmen.
