Barcelona History
Barcelona had humble beginings as a small colony
formed due to its strategic location between Spain
and mainland Europe. It was founded by the Carthaginians
and was originally known as Barcino in the 1st century
B.C.
However, Barcelona status as a city only strengthened
after the Romans took over and built city walls around
the small colony. There are still signs of the city
walls as well as Roman excavations in the Barri
Gotic today.
Barcelona went on to have spells under Visigoths,
Moors and Franks without enhancing its status under
any of their rules. Barcelona only raised in importance
in the 12th century due to trade and its position
as the biggest city in Catalonia. Barcelona went on
to conquor neighbouring kingdoms of Valencia, the
Balearic Islands, Sicily and Sardinia and had a mini
kingdom of some sort. The flourishing period came
to an abrupt end in the 15th century due to the Black
Death that swept across Europe. After the 15th century,
Castile conquest of the city left much oppression
of the Catalan culture and the way of life as well
as vanquishing Barcelona status as an independent
kingdom.
In the 19th century, industrialisation took place
and Barcelona modernised rapidly. A new wave of modernisme
hit Barcelona and a whole new generation of modernisme
inspired artists and architects emerged with Pablo
Picasso and Antonio
Gaudi among the most famous of them all. They
left lasting impressions all over the city in the
form of buildings and art forms.
In the 20th century, Barcelona struggled with civil
war like the rest of Spain before democracy arrived
in Spain. Post democracy Barcelona was ousted into
the world stage with the hosting of 1992 Olympic games.
Today, Barcelona is one of the most happening cities
in the world and a top tourist attraction due to its
rich culture and beautiful heritage.
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