History and Culture of Barcelona

Referred to as the "Paris of Spain", Barcelona is a city filled with rich history and beautiful scenery. Founded on the Mediterranean coast thousands of years ago, Barcelona has evolved to become a traditional gateway to Spain. Romans, Arabs, Christians and Visigoths are just a few of the empires that have attempted to rule the land and have come to enrich its heritage. The influence of these groups is evident as you walk through the city and view the stunning, unique architecture and districts.

Barcelona is located in the Catalonia region in the far northeast corner of Spain, between the Besós and Llobregat rivers. It is surrounded by diverse landscape, with Montjuïc Mountain to the southwest, Mount Tibidabo to the northwest and beautiful beaches lining the coast. This area is home to the Catalan language and culture; therefore, Barcelona's two official languages are Castilian Spanish and Catalan. English speakers can be found in urban areas, but tend to be sparse in rural locations.

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona's population is 1.6 million (est. 2006) and rises to 5.5 million (est. 2006) when outlying areas are included. Mealtimes are important to locals, with lunch being largest and most important meal. Between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 pm, everyone heads to local eateries or home to enjoy lunch and relax. The dinner hour typically falls around 10:00 pm. In more populated areas, you may find restaurants serving dinner as early as 8:00 pm.

Diversity and harmony are apparent in the character of the people of Barcelona. While they work hard, they also enjoy life and spending time with family. They take a great deal of pride in their culture and city. One particular individual who showed his love and devotion to Barcelona was Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí produced numerous architectural masterpieces throughout the city. One of his most famous works, the Sagrada Familia, is a large catholic church that Gaudí began in 1882. Construction is still taking place on this massive building with hopes for it to be completed by 2026.