Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STAGES IN BARCELONA'S HISTORY
1. BC: THE FOUNDING OF A CITY
Barcino,asthecitywasfirstknown,wasfoundedinthe3rdcenturyBCbyCarthagini-
anHamilcarBarca.ItwastakenbytheRomansin218BC,butplayedsecondfiddlein
the region to the provincial capital of Tarragona.
2. 4TH-11TH CENTURIES: EARLY INVASIONS
As the Roman Empire began to fall apart in the 5th century, the Visigoths took over
the city, followed by the Moors in the 8th century. Around AD 800, Charlemagne
conquered the area with the help of the Pyrenean counts.
3. 12TH-16TH CENTURIES: THE MIDDLE AGES
Duringthisperiod,BarcelonawasthecapitalofaCatalanempirethatstretchedacross
the Mediterranean. The city's fortune was built on commerce, but as neighbouring
Castile expanded into the New World, trading patterns shifted and the Catalan dyn-
asty faltered. Barcelona fell into decline and came under Castilian domination.
4. 1638-1652: CATALAN REVOLT
In reaction to the oppressive policies set out in Madrid, now ruled by the Austrian
Habsburgs,variouslocalfactions,knownas
ElsSegadors
,revolted.Fightingbeganin
1640 and dragged on until 1652, when the Catalans and their French allies were de-
feated.
5. 19TH CENTURY: INDUSTRY & PROSPERITY
Booming industry and trade with the Americas brought activity to the city. Immig-
rantspouredinfromthecountryside,layingthefoundationsofprosperitybutalsothe
seedsofunrest.Theoldcitywallscamedown,broadEixampleavenueswerelaidout
and workers crowded the old city neighbourhoods left behind by the middle classes.
6. 1888-1929: THE RENAIXENCA
This new wealth, showcased in the International Exhibitions of 1888 and 1929,
sparkedaCatalanrenaissance.
Modernista
mansionssproutedup,andthenationalist
bourgeoisie sparked a revival of Catalan culture.
