Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Understand Barcelona
An ongoing economic crisis has sparked Catalonia's drive towards independence.
Despite financial woes, revitalisation continues in the ever-changing urban land-
scape.
Barcelona's 2000-year history has been shaped by Roman rule, an early parliament,
a Mediterranean empire and the Spanish Civil War.
Folk dancing, traditional festivals, towering human
castells
(castles) and one power-
house football team are essential elements of the Catalan experience.
Barcelona is home to a soaring collection of Gothic treasures, Modernista master-
pieces and more recent works by avant-garde architects.
Follow in the footsteps of three of Spain's great 20th-century artists, who were all in-
fluenced by Barcelona.
Nova Cançó, la rumba and avant-garde rock have shaped the Catalan sound, while
flamenco and
sardana
(Catalonia's national folk dance) still flourish.
