Barcelona

The Sagrada FamiliaBarcelona lies in a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean. It is the second largest city in Spain in both population and size. It is also the capital of Catalonia, 1 of the 17 regions or Autonomous Communities that make up Spain. In Barcelona two official languages are spoken: Catalan, generally spoken in all of Catalonia, and Castilian Spanish. The city of Barcelona has a population of 1.510.000, but this number spirals to more than 4.000.000 if the outlying areas are included.

Barcelona is indeed a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also due to its tradition, history and cultural influences. The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the 2nd century BC. Modern Barcelona experienced an economic revival and a spectacular growth at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. The 1888 World's Fair became a symbol of the capacity for hard work and the international outlook projected by the city. Culture and arts flourished in Barcelona and all of Catalonia while the splendor achieved by Catalonian modernism was highly displayed.

The entrance to Güell Parc
The entrance to Güell Parc
The Ramblas
The Ramblas

Barcelona is more than just a single city; it is really a collection of diverse and multi-faceted cities. Visitors not familiar with its history might be surprised at such an enterprising and modern city preserving its historic Gothic centres almost entirely intact, or by the curious contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the L´Eixample neighbourhood, the "enlargement" project of urban planning beginning towards the end of the 19th century.

Fiestas and celebrations in Barcelona

One of the most important celebrations in the city is La Mercè honouring Barcelona´s patron saint. The main event takes place on September 24th, although various concerts, pageants, and activities start three days earlier. Three of the most traditional events around the Mercé festivities are:

  • 'Els Castellets', or the building of human towers. The 'castle' is deemed to be complete when the smallest person, usually a child, stands at the top. Event activities start three days earlier
  • 'El Correfoc', 'diablos y demonios', which is Catalan and Spanish for “devils and demons”, a costume event where people dresses as devils and demons are armed with all types of fireworks and go through the streets.
  • 'The fireworks and music spectacle on September 24th', happen at 10 o'clock in the evening which brings all the celebrations to the end.