Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The City Reborn
The Francoist Josep Maria de Porcioles was mayor from 1957 until his death in 1973, a
grey time for Barcelona, marked by regular demonstrations against the regime, always bru-
tally put down. When Franco himself died two years later, the city rejoiced. In 1977 Cata-
lonia was granted regional autonomy.
The 1992 Olympics marked the beginning of a long process of urban renewal. The wa-
terfront, beaches and Montjuïc were in the first wave, but the momentum hasn't been lost
since. The Ciutat Vella (Old City) has seen dramatic improvement with a host of museums
and cultural spaces transforming the once down-and-out Raval district into a budding arts
district. Out in Poblenou, the city envisions a new centre of activity, with the building of a
new design museum and abundant green space. Nearby, the rechristened district of 22@
(vint-i-dos arroba) continues to be a centre for innovation and design, with some of the
city's best new architecture - like Zaha Hadid's wild Torre Espiral (Spiral Tower) - hap-
pening here.
Timeline
circa AD 15
Settlement of Barcino first mentioned in Roman chronicles under control of Tarraco
(Tarragona).
717
Barcelona captured by the Moors, who rule until the arrival of the Franks in 801.
1137
Barcelona's power increases as it allies with the Kingdom of Aragon through royal
marriage.
1380s
Catalonia's Mediterranean empire extends as far as Sardinia, Sicily and Greece.
1714
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