Attractive and alluring for tourists is Spain. But we will not talk about the capital of this country. We are interested in the largest industrial and commercial center - Barcelona. Description of the city, history, attractions, as well as information about many other things you will find in this article. Spain's second largest city โโis waiting to share its secrets with you.
From Antiquity to the Middle Ages
How Barcelona appeared, a city in Spain, is not exactly known. There are two versions of the occurrence. One relates us to the Greek myths of Hercules. The second is somewhat closer on the scale to our days and leads to the third century BC. At this time, Roman troops conquered the city of Laye and equipped it as a fortress with a center located on the mountain. The nearby Tarracon was significantly larger and more important than a small fortification.
Over time, thanks to the beautiful harbor, open sea access, the city began to develop. Riches accumulated, and with them the importance increased. Own coins appeared. By the fifth century, Barsino, named after the commander, pushes large neighbors and occupies one of the leading positions.
Numerous wars and invasions suffered Barcelona, โโthe history of the city was varied and exciting. Visigoths, Moors, Muslims, Franks - they all visited this land.
Modern history
Barcelona has survived more than one war and succeeded by several rulers: Charles III, Philip V, General Suchet, Napoleon. During this time, it is difficult to say that the city had stable development and prosperity.
Most enterprises appeared during the industrial revolution - in the 19th century. At that time, the city managed to somewhat weaken the tight control of the Spanish authorities. The protective wall erected in the Middle Ages was demolished. The fortress turned into a beautiful city park.
In the 20th century, Barcelona, โโa city in Spain, begins its rebirth. In 1929, the next world exhibition is held. After the capture of the Republicans during the Civil War, the city was subjected to intense cultural and political repression. Catalan is becoming banned.
After the disappearance of dictatorial influences, the city turns into a major cultural center. The Barcelona Office is striving to revive the Catalan language, and gradually it is returning to everyday life.
sights
Today, the city has a lot of attractive places that reveal to tourists the history, culture and nature.
For example, the Old Town is a historical center. Residential buildings, burials of the Roman era can be seen in the Gothic quarter.
Interesting and bizarre creations of architecture are collected in the quarter of Discord.
Notes of modernism can be traced in the buildings of the Holy Cross.
All this speaks of the diversity of architectural styles and trends that fill Barcelona, โโa city in Spain. Attractions include huge spacious parks.
Near the port is Mount Montjuic with an ancient fortress, which today serves as the Military Museum. Here you can also see one of the first bullring.
Park Guell cannot be called too large, but, despite its modest size, there is something to see here: a twisted bench, a columned hall, two pavilions.
Walking along the boulevard
Probably the most famous street of the city, and of the country as a whole, is the Rambla, stretching from Plaza Catalunya to the seaport. It is completely dedicated to tourists. A lot of cafes, restaurants and shops. The pedestrian part is located in the center of the street, traffic is quite busy on both sides of it.
Among other things, the famous Boqueria market is located on the boulevard . If you are interested in authentic Barcelona (a city in Spain), be sure to visit this place. A huge selection of food products will not leave indifferent any gourmet. Here are collected goodies from all over the country.
Experienced tourists recommend visiting the market several times. Because for the first time it will be difficult to make a good purchase, a huge assortment can simply enter into a stupor. The center of the market is the meat and fish rows where you can buy the famous jamon: buy a whole leg or chopped pieces. At the same time, they are hermetically packed to ensure maximum shelf life.
Famous houses
Special attention deserves the architecture of the city. Walking the streets, tourists can see the amazing creations of the famous master - Antonio Gaudi.
The most famous mansion is located in the Eixample district. One glance at the facade is enough to realize that you have not seen this before.
Amazing shapes and colors will open for tourists Barcelona - a city in Spain photo, which you can see in the article.
The facade of the building is decorated with windows with smooth outlines, delicate elegant details. Bright colors of the mosaic create a variety of paintings, stained-glass windows of stained glass add fabulousness.
Another creation of the masterโs hand is Milaโs house. It combines a residential building and an architectural monument.
At first, the townspeople took this creation with some rejection. The house looked too innovative and bold against the background of other structures. However, not only the facade of the building is noteworthy. For example, it does not have load-bearing walls, and interior partitions can be installed at the discretion of residents. The architect paid special attention to ventilation, which allows dispensing with air conditioning.
Park Guell
Different cities of the world are filled with a variety of architectural creations, Barcelona in this sense is especially attractive. Those who are especially interested in the work of Gaudi should definitely visit the whole park, which incorporates the best examples of his imagination.
At the entrance you will be greeted by fabulous gingerbread houses, as if grown by a wave of a magic wand. From them tourists lead a staircase with wonderful sculptures of animals hidden in the spans.
She brings all the curious to the Hall of Hundred Columns, although after simple calculations, you can make sure that there are only 86 of them. The uniqueness of the room lies in its multi-level ceiling with smooth bends. During a walk around the hall, it may seem that everything around comes to life, moves.
Climbing to the roof offers a picturesque view of the city. Here is the famous twisted bench, decorated with colorful mosaics.
This park combines reality and fairytale magic, amazing shapes, reliefs and colors.
Modern attractions
Amazing buildings in the city appear today. So, ten years ago, an amazing creation was opened to residents and tourists - Agbar Tower. Over one hundred and forty floors, an amazing oval shape, resembles a boulder that has grown from the ground, or a multi-colored cucumber.
The facade is made of concrete and covered with a glassy shell, part of which is transparent, the other is not. Looking around the tower, you can see how it shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow, from afar the facade, like a liquid mass, changing its color depending on the incident light.
The building is designed so that the windows serve as solar panels and ventilation.
The huge height allows you to see the tower from anywhere in the city.
Another attractive place for tourists is the aquarium. Here thousands of species of underwater inhabitants are collected, representing more than a dozen ecosystems. Visitors are given a unique opportunity to see near small fish and huge sharks.
All this magnificence opens to its guests Barcelona - a city in Spain, which is definitely worth a visit.
The pearl of Barcelona
The building, the Temple of the Sagrada Familia (Basilica de la Sagrada Familia), deserves special attention. The original author was Francisco del Villar, later Antonio Gaudi continued the work and completely changed the original project. He breathed new life into the temple and endowed it with a special meaning.
A unique feature of the building is its construction period. For more than two centuries, it continues to develop, change and grow. And at the same time does not lose popularity among tourists from all over the world.
An amazing and varied flavor is stored in Barcelona - a city whose attractions annually come to see more than five million people.