City of Barcelona. What country? Where is Barcelona? History of Barcelona: three thousand years in the struggle for independence and prosperity Barcelona is the city of which country

As of 2018, the population of Barcelona is about one and a half million people. If we add to these figures the population of the so-called “greater Barcelona”, that is, its numerous suburbs and satellite cities, such as Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, ​​etc., then the real number of inhabitants of Barcelona will be more than 5 million people. Thus, Barcelona is one of largest cities Spain and a fairly large city by European standards.

National composition and history

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, both due to its history and the influx of immigrants, foreign students and expats who work for the city's many international companies. Historically, Barcelona has always been the capital of Catalonia and was dominated by the Catalan population, but the industrial boom of the second half of the 19th century attracted workers from other regions of Spain and even Italy to the city. The ups and downs of the 20th century also affected the fate of Barcelona: in the middle of the 20th century, the city was actively being built; thousands of Spaniards came from less prosperous Andalusia to work on the city’s construction sites, and the majority remained in Barcelona. In the 80s of the 20th century, a period of prosperity began in Barcelona and immigrants from not so prosperous countries poured into the city. It is believed that from 1992 until the start of the 2008 crisis, Barcelona experienced its golden era. The city hosted the Olympic Games, developed beaches and attracted immigrants from all over the world, attracted by the opportunity for well-paid work and the simple procedure for obtaining a residence permit.

According to statistics, 4 out of 10 people living in Barcelona were not born in Catalonia. As of 2017, 17.81% of Barcelona's population are foreigners. Barcelona's largest foreign diasporas are Italians, Pakistanis, Chinese, French, Americans, Bolivians, Peruvians, Filipinos and Colombians. The city also houses some of the world's rarest diasporas, ethnic composition Barcelona is extremely rich.

Miro mosaic on the main street of Las Ramblas. According to the author, this is a sign of tolerance and welcome to everyone arriving in Barcelona from the sea.

Culture and traditions

Such a diverse national composition had its influence on the culture and customs of Barcelona. For example, the famous Catalan rumba is music created in Barcelona in the gypsy environment with obvious elements of both Catalan and Moroccan motifs. Nowadays it is one of the most popular genres of music with many artists, including both Roma and Catalans. The traditional dance of the Catalans is the sardana, which is often danced on summer evenings in the squares and embankments of the city. The dance is not complicated, so foreigners often join the circle of dancers. Another dance, the famous flamenco, came to Catalonia from Andalusia and gained many admirers. There are many places in Barcelona where you can see his performances in person.

In this amazing city, Catalan holiday traditions - processions of giants, living towers of castellers and fire shows - are combined with exotic holidays of other nations, for example, foreign communities often organize Italy Day or Brazil Day. In Barcelona, ​​the Catalan dish “pan con tomate” peacefully coexists with kebab and Italian pizza. In the city you can often see residents of other countries in their national costumes, which gives it a special flavor. The motto of Barcelona residents is tolerance, respect for other nations and at the same time honoring their roots and traditions.

Procession in national costumes during the La Merce festival.

Language in Barcelona

Respect both for their ancestors and for other nations was reflected in the linguistic wealth of the city. The main language in Barcelona is Spanish, spoken by more than 90% of the population. Spanish is the language of communication in Barcelona, ​​including between foreigners. Compared to other cities in Catalonia, Catalan is the least spoken language in Barcelona, ​​being the lingua franca of only 28.80% of the city's population. However, the Catalans are trying to preserve their language, one of the measures is free courses For everyone. In addition to Spanish and Catalan, the city is gaining strength English language, as the language not only of tourists, but also of numerous foreign specialists.
The most popular foreign language in Barcelona after English is French. Many Barcelona residents speak French better than English. There are reasons for this - both the proximity of France and the influx of French tourists, and the obvious similarity of the Catalan language with French.

Religion in Barcelona

Spain is a secular state, but the majority of the population is traditionally Catholic. At the same time, Catalonia in general and Barcelona in particular are considered the most atheist-minded region of Spain, especially among young people. In addition, there is a significant percentage of the population who consider themselves Catholics, but do not take part in religious rituals. For example, among Barcelona residents 18-30 years old, 3.5% are devout Catholics who attend every Sunday mass, and 47.7% are atheists. If we look at another generation - Spaniards over 65 years of age, the situation changes completely: 26.7% are active Catholics and only 8.4% are atheists. Despite such sentiments in society, the church continues to play a significant role in the lives of Barcelona residents. Thus, many traditional names - Eulalia, Montserrat, Mercedes - are associated with Catholic saints and patronesses of the city.

Barcelona, ​​thanks to its religious freedom, also favors a few denominations. The city has a significant number of evangelical churches, Protestant churches, mosques, there are Buddhist and Hindu temples. In general, Barcelona residents respect all religions, even if they are devout Catholics.

Main Cathedral Barcelona is named after the city's main patron saint, Saint Eulalia.

Barcelona, ​​the capital of the province of Catalonia, is one of the most beautiful places Europe and a real Spanish tourist paradise. The age of the city is more than two centuries, which left their mark on its appearance. The history of Barcelona began in the 3rd century. BC, when the commander of Carthage Hamelkar Barka named the small village of Barsino in his honor. This is where the city stands today. Today's Barcelona is rich in historical and modern attractions. With its charm and originality, it leaves no one indifferent.

The main symbol of Barcelona is the Cathedral of La Sagrada Familla (Holy Family), built by the great Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, who also decorated the city with his other masterpieces. The official languages ​​in Barcelona are Catalan and Spanish. However local residents prefer to speak on the first one.

Climate and weather

Barcelona is an excellent holiday destination at any time of the year. The Mediterranean climate prevails here, characterized by mild winters and warm, humid summers. Precipitation in Barcelona is quite a rare event. The coolest month is February (+10 °C), the hottest is July (+25 °C), and in spring the weather is not much cooler than in autumn (15-18 °C).

Nature

Barcelona is on a coastal plateau Mediterranean Sea. In the southwest, near the city, are the Llobregat River and the Collserola Mountains, and in the north is the Besos River. 120 km north of Barcelona lie the Pyrenees. Thanks to the mountainous terrain, the city has a unique, uneven landscape. Highest point is Mount Tibidabo (512 m).

Barcelona is located on several hills, whose names are also given to its neighborhoods: Puchet, Carmel, Monterols, Peira and Rovira. The city is very green, there are many small parks and squares.

Attractions

Barcelona has perfectly preserved the rich cultural heritage of many peoples and times. The entire multifaceted history of the country and the city is reflected in its squares, monuments and streets.

The Gothic Quarter, located on the territory of an ancient Roman village, is considered the most grandiose and impressive landmark of Barcelona. Here you must visit the Chapel of Sant Jordi, the Chapel of St. Agatha, Piazza Jaime I, where the City Hall and the Government Palace (Generalitat) are located, the Golden Hall, the Courtyard of Orange Trees and the Federico Mares Museum. Also notable are the Grand Royal Palace and the Archbishop's Palace. By the way, in the first of them, in 1493, Christopher Columbus was solemnly received by the Spanish royal family after his first voyage.

We must remember that many sights and buildings of the city are included in the list of objects world heritage. The most interesting of them is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Its construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. Completion of construction is planned for 2026.

Barcelona is also famous for its sporting traditions and achievements. Here is the world's strongest Spanish football club, Barcelona, ​​whose stadium (Camp Nou) has its own museum, which ranks 2nd in Barcelona in terms of attendance.

Nutrition

The mixture of nationalities and cultures played a big role in the formation national cuisine Catalonia. At one time, it borrowed elements from Japanese, Indian, Turkish, Pakistani, Chinese, Thai, Arabic and many other cuisines. In all of Spain it is considered the most exquisite.

For connoisseurs of taste, and for those who simply love to eat delicious food, Barcelona can offer a menu rich in fish and seafood; many dishes are served with fresh vegetables and fruits. The important elements here are olive oil and garlic.

A mandatory item on any menu in Barcelona is tapas - a variety of snacks from olives, fish, meat, bread and chips. The main dishes here are Catalan-style paella with seafood and a traditional Spanish dish - potato tortilla. Among simple snacks, sandwiches with different fillings excite the appetite. For drinks, it is worth trying the local sherry; in the summer there is even a festival held in its honor.

Accommodation

Barcelona is one of the most significant centers in Europe, large and cosmopolitan. The city has a huge selection of accommodation options - hotels and hostels, apartments and apartments for rent, villas and private houses. Accommodation costs vary by location, season and conditions. At the peak of the influx of tourists, prices increase several times.

The best and comfortable hotels Barcelona is rightfully considered Hilton Barcelona, ​​Arts Ritz Carlton and Claris. They provide guests with a wide range of services, impeccable quality of service and interesting design. Accommodation in them costs from 100 € per day.

Despite the high rate of opening of new hotels, there are always not enough places to stay on weekends and holiday periods. Therefore, you need to book rooms in advance.

Entertainment and relaxation

Barcelona attracts fans active rest and entertainment. There are a wide variety of options for this. In the coastal area you can swim and sunbathe, on the rocky coast you can go diving, and on one of the beaches you can take a parachute flight over the coast. Fans of elite sports will be surprised by the incredible number of golf clubs and courses. City water parks Water World and Aquabrava offer excellent opportunities and conditions for recreation with the whole family.

For lovers nightlife The doors of city clubs are constantly open, where a variety of themed parties and concerts are held. The most famous and fashionable among them is night club Elephant.

Winter carnivals are popular in Barcelona, ​​when processions of mummers move through the streets and national music sounds. In the spring, a “Maypole” decorated with ribbons is installed in the squares, around which the sardana (the national dance of Catalonia) is danced.

Purchases

Barcelona is rightly nicknamed “the biggest store in Europe”. There are many grandiose open here shopping centers and small private shops, famous boutiques and specialty stores. The opportunity to shop while tasting Barcelona's cuisine and enjoy the Barcelona lifestyle is one of the most valuable things the city has to offer. In addition, Barcelona is considered one of the main centers of fashion and style in Europe.

Grand sales in Barcelona take place during the Christmas holidays (from January 10) and in the summer (after July 5). During these periods, an incredible buying rush begins, because... prices for almost everything are falling incredibly.

We must remember that the Spaniards do not really like to work hard, so most shops are open only 5 days a week and you cannot get into them during siesta (from 14:30 to 16:30).

Transport

Barcelona has a carefully thought-out and extensive network of public urban transport, including buses, metro, trams, rail and sea transport, funiculars and air services.

The metro is considered the most democratic, accessible and convenient type of travel around the city. The network consists of 5 branches, to which 3 lines are connected railway. The cost of one trip is 1.20 €. But it is much more profitable to purchase a subscription here, which combines the metro with other modes of transport.

Barcelona is deservedly proud of its city bus network; it is considered the best in Spain in terms of organization and technical equipment. The fare here, like the metro, costs 1.20 €.

It is possible to purchase and transport card tourist (Barcelona card), which provides the right to free travel and many discounts.

Connection

Communication in Barcelona is excellent and is considered to be of fairly high quality. You can make calls throughout Spain and abroad from any street machine. The minimum cost for a call within the city is 0.15 €, the price varies depending on the day of the week and time of day. You can also purchase a telephone card at any kiosk or post office (6-12 €).

If you pre-connect to international roaming in Barcelona, ​​you can use your own GSM phone. Although, in terms of tariffs, it will cost more to connect to one of the country’s mobile operators in any cellular service store.

Internet access is available in numerous internet cafes, large libraries and post offices.

Safety

Barcelona is considered a very safe city. Here, even alone, you can calmly walk until the morning. On the streets of the city, and especially in busy places, the city police are on duty around the clock. Moreover, all the police are friendly, responsive and always ready to provide any help. However, most of them speak English. Therefore, you should not be embarrassed to contact the police, even if you are simply lost.

If we talk about petty theft, then for Barcelona, ​​as for others tourist centers, such cases are not uncommon. You should be more attentive to personal belongings and be vigilant in places popular with tourists.

Business climate

Tourism ranks first in Barcelona's economy, because... the profit from it is incredibly high. In this regard, the government is trying to develop this industry as much as possible and attract investors. Thus, by investing capital in tourism, you can confidently expect tangible income in the near future.

Real estate

Barcelona is the country's largest center of industry and trade. Its proximity to the French borders and its port make it the commercial capital of Spain. It is therefore not surprising that Barcelona property prices are steadily rising in value. The demand for it is constantly high and premises here are rented out all year round, and not just during the tourist season.

Among residential properties, the most popular are small apartments and studio apartments (from 250 thousand €). Commercial real estate in Barcelona is almost no different in price from residential real estate. Therefore, the capital of Catalonia is considered an ideal choice for investors planning to develop their business in Spain.

The ideal time to travel to Barcelona depends on the traveler's personal preferences. The popular swimming season lasts from May to mid-September. These months account for the main influx of tourists; it is almost impossible to find free hotel rooms at this time. The quietest period of the season is considered to be September and May, and in July and August German, Russian and English speech is heard on the streets more often than Spanish.

The season ends with the arrival of cold weather and rain. At this time there is a slight tourist lull. In winter the weather is quite favorable for travel, snow is rare in Barcelona and only falls once every few years, and almond trees begin to bloom in February.

The history of the emergence and development of Barcelona. Development and historical events in Barcelona.

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Barcelona is very ancient city, with a history rich in heroic events. For several thousand years, different peoples fought for dominance over it, and he often only benefited from this.

According to legend, Hamilcar Barca, the father of the legendary commander Hannibal, is considered the founder of Barcelona. Although archaeologists believe that there was already a settlement at this place before, and Barka could only restore it, a kind of confirmation of which is another legend, according to which it was on this place that the legendary Hercules built his city.

Probably, Borsina (that’s what this city was originally called) would have remained a small village if the Romans had not conquered the territory modern Spain. It was the Roman rulers who contributed to the development of the city; during their reign, the city wall was built, and the city streets were laid out in a rather original way - they stretch perpendicularly from the sea to the mountains, making the city plan very reminiscent of a chess board. The Romans turned Barcelona into a fairly busy port, which led to a rapid increase in the city's prosperity. In general, they significantly expanded the city boundaries.

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With the arrival of the Germanic Visigoth tribe on the lands of the Iberian Peninsula in the 530s, Borsina was renamed Barcelona in their manner and even became the capital - however, only for a couple of decades. Then the Arabs captured the city, practically destroying it. Their dominance lasted for almost a hundred years, but in the end they were never able to resist the army of Louis the Pious.

According to legend (recognized by historians as completely unfounded, which, however, does not spoil it at all), it was then that the flag of Catalonia appeared - four scarlet stripes on a yellow background. Louis the Pious came to the tent of Wilfred the Hairy, who fought bravely and was seriously wounded in battle, and, seeing his shield, gilded and without a coat of arms, dipped his fingers in Wilfred’s blood and ran them over it.

By 878 the city finally gains freedom. It was during this period that Barcelona maximally expanded the borders of its possession and experienced times of greatest prosperity, being one of the most significant counties in the entire Old World. It was then that Barcelona became the capital of Catalonia.

For a long time, the royal residence was located here, and the poor but brave navigator Columbus came here to ask the queen for sponsorship to equip his expedition, and here, in Barcelona, ​​the traveler got the opportunity to make his legendary voyage to America. But in this way, Columbus, one might say, indirectly led to the decline of a powerful city, because he discovered a new sea ​​route, causing maritime trade to shift from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Catalonia (and Barcelona, ​​in particular) was forced out of world trade, and the future Spanish capital, on the contrary, began to develop and prosper at an accelerated pace.

Barcelona was able to regain its former power and glory only at the beginning of the last century, and the holding of the XXV Olympic Games in this city contributed to its significant transformation.

History of the Sagrada Familia

(NE Spain), on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. 1506 thousand inhabitants (1998), in the agglomeration 3.5 million people. (the second most populous city in Spain after Madrid). Founded on the site of a settlement by the Carthaginians (230 BC), then by the Romans called Barsino (hence the name Barcelona). In the 9th–12th centuries. - the capital of the county of the same name. Cult. center of Spain. Numerous architects. monuments of the 10th–19th centuries: cathedral (Gothic), churches (Santa Maria del Map, San Pablo del Campo); stock exchange, palaces (bishop's, former count's, etc.); parks, fountains, sculptures. There are many buildings built according to the designs of the world famous architect Gaudi: Palace Güell (1885–89), the Sagrada Familia church (started in 1884, being completed), etc. The fishing quarter of Barceloneta, Tibidabo peak with a funicular, from which a magnificent panorama of the city opens. Monument to X. Columbus (60 m high). 3 un-ta. Opera and ballet theater, conservatory, bullfighting arena. Museums: archaeological, marine, fine arts, modern. art, village-museum architect. appearance of all regions (Spain in miniature), etc. World exhibitions of 1888 and 1929. (palaces, pavilions, gardens). Modern B. - large industrial. agglomeration. Mashing; text., chemical., cellul.-paper., leather., food., optical, glass., cement. industry Transport node, port, intl. airport. Metropolitan. Intl. trade-industry trade fairs. Tourism center. On the NE. there is an industrial suburb of Badalona – important center text. industry and machinery; seaside resort.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Barcelona

Barcelona - main city Catalonia (cm. Catalonia) and the province of Barcelona, ​​the most important port and the second most populous city in Spain (cm. Spain)(about 2 million inhabitants). This is one of the most beautiful Mediterranean cities. It is surrounded in a semicircle by mountains, on the slopes of which there are parks, recreation areas and places for viewing the panorama of the city, and from the east they open to the sea. The history of the city goes back many centuries. In 218, the Romans founded the colony of Barcino near Montjuic. At the same time, excavations carried out in the 20th century showed that the Roman colony was not the first settlement on the territory of Barcelona. The Romans built fortress walls, the ruins of which are still preserved. The walls surrounded the area where the cathedral is now located, Plaza de San Jaume and Plaza de Pi. Walls were erected around the Old Town twice more in the Middle Ages; until the end of the 18th century, Barcelona was considered a city bounded by them. Villages arose outside the walls, which then became full-fledged districts of Barcelona - Sants, Sarria, Gracia. The impetus for the development of the city was given by the exhibitions of 1888 and 1929, but the period of Franco's rule became a time of crisis for Barcelona. The 1992 Olympics held in Barcelona gave a new impetus to the development of the city.
The central part of Barcelona is divided into Old city- the historical center of the city, the Montjuic and Eixample mountain area - an area that arose in the 19th century as a result of the expansion of the city to the north. Barcelona architecture combines a variety of trends, but it gained worldwide fame thanks to the rapid development of Art Nouveau or Art Nouveau, the brightest representatives whose architects were Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Domenech i Montenar and, perhaps, one of the most famous architects of the last two centuries, Antonio Gaudi i Cornet.

Old city
The old town, stretching along Las Ramblas, is one of the most extensive and well-preserved architectural ensembles medieval Europe. Particularly notable here are the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) with the Barcelona Cathedral, the La Ribera district with the Picasso Museum, and the Parc de la Ciutadella. The main architectural, including temple, monuments of the Old City are located within the Gothic Quarter.
The very first cathedral on its territory was built in 985, during the conquest of the city by Almanzor. Construction of the Gothic cathedral with the Romanesque chapel of the Capella de Santa Lucia began in 1298 under James II on the site of an old Visigothic settlement. The façade of the majestic cathedral was completed only in the 19th century, and the central spire in 1913. All work was carried out according to the drawings of the French architect Charles Gaultier (1408). The ensemble of the cathedral includes two octagonal bell towers (1386-1393), a central nave made in the Catalan Gothic style, the Capella del Santissim Sagrament (Chapel of the Holy Sacraments) with the 16th century crucifix “Christ of Lepanto”, Capella -de San Benet (Capella de San Benet), dedicated to the founder of the Benedictine monastic order. Under the main altar of the cathedral there is a crypt with an alabaster sarcophagus (1339) of St. Eulalia, a 4th century Christian martyr to whom the cathedral is dedicated. In the interior of the cathedral, it is worth noting the seats in the choir, the upper tier of which is decorated with images of the coats of arms of 12 knights.
One of the most revered churches by Barcelona residents is the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, designed in the Catalan Gothic style. Thanks to the excellent acoustics of the temple, concerts are often held there. The church took about 55 years to build. The stained glass of the western rose window (15th century) depicts the coronation of the Virgin Mary, the windows of the central and side naves are decorated with stained glass from the 15th - 18th centuries.
The most interesting monument of the Gothic Quarter is the Archdeacon's House (Casa de l'Ardiaca), built in the 12th century on the foundation of a Roman fortress wall, and then rebuilt several times. The Archdeacon's House is adjacent to the cathedral. The architecture of the House intricately combines Gothic and Renaissance features. In the Art Nouveau era at its entrance appeared a marble mailbox with carvings of swallows and a turtle by the architect Domènech i Montaner.Currently, the Archdeacon's House houses the city archives.
Royal Palace(Palau Reial Major) on Plaza del Rei was created in the 13th century as the residence of the Counts of Barcelona. A significant example of 14th-century Gothic architecture is the Tinel Hall. Here Ferdinand and Isabella received Columbus, who returned from America. Later, the Holy Tribunal met in this hall.
The government buildings of Barcelona and Catalonia are located within the Gothic Quarter. The town hall building (Casa de la Ciutat) began to be built in the 14th century opposite the government palace of Palau de la Generalitat, on Plaza de Sant Jaume. At the entrance to the building there are two statues - one depicts Jaime (Jaume) I, who granted the people of Barcelona the right to elect a city council in 1249, and the other depicts Joan Fivellera, who forced the city in the 1500s. city ​​nobility to pay taxes. The Salo de les Croniques was created specifically for the 1929 World's Fair.
The Catalan government has occupied the Palau de la Generalitat since 1403. The facade of the building is designed in the Renaissance style; above the main entrance there is a statue of the patron saint of Catalonia - St. George. The courtyard, in the late Catalan Gothic style, is decorated with sculptures by Marc Safonta. The interior of the building is distinguished by the Chapel of Sant Jordi and the Salo de Sant Jordi, decorated by Pere Blai in the Italian spirit.
The oldest monument of civil architecture in Barcelona is the Exchange (La Llotja), built around 1380 for the guild of Catalan merchant sailors. The building was rebuilt in 1771 and until 1994 it housed a trading exchange. In 1849 - 1970 The upper floors of the building were occupied by the Academy of Fine Arts, whose students included Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró.
Once in the Old Town, you cannot miss Carrer Montacada Street, which has preserved all the features of medieval architecture. Above the pavement, the ledges of the roofs almost close together, from which fantastic gargoyles look out. The houses' massive wooden gates conceal delightful patios. In the 13th century, during the period of prosperity of Catalonia, the street was lined with Gothic mansions; almost all the buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century.
The center of the Old Town is Las Ramblas, where life does not stop day or night. The Arabic word "rambla" means a dry river bed - such beds in Catalan cities often turned into streets and that is why streets with the name "Rambla" are often found here. Barcelona's Ramblas consists of several individual parts, "ramblas", including Rambla de Canaletes, named after the fountain, and Rambla dels Estudis, whose name was given by the first university of Barcelona - Estudis General. The Ramblas pedestrian zone is 1.2 km long. Ramblas is for Barcelona what Arbat is for Moscow or Montmartre for Paris. Located on the Ramblas Opera theatre The Liceu (Gran Teatre del Liceu), the La Boqueria market (translated as “The Abyss”), also known as the Sant Josep market (Mercat de Sant Josep) and several old mansions. At the beginning of the Ramblas, on Plaza de Catalunya, there is the Font de Canaletes, cast in iron in the last century, and the end of it is the 87-meter monument to Columbus, which dominates the entire port area, installed at World Exhibition of 1888.
A little away from it stands the Church of Mercedes - Our Lady of Mercy, patroness of Barcelona. Among the buildings on the Ramblas, the Palau Guell mansion stands out, built in 1889 by Antoni Gaudí for his patron, the manufacturer Count de Guell. Inside the mansion, carved partitions, galleries and niches create a feeling of spaciousness. All the furniture has been preserved to this day. Other attractions in the Ramblas include the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts (Reial Academia), the Virreina Palace, the classicist Palau Moja with its magnificent courtyard, and the Plaza de la Broqueria. Broqueria), the mosaic of the pavement of which was made according to the drawings of Miró, and the Royal Square (Plaza Reial), the lanterns of which were created according to the design of Gaudí. Before Royal Square Ferran Street (Carrera de Ferran) extends into the Gothic Quarter, in one of the houses of which Joan Miró was born. Behind the Sant Josep market is Calle de Hospital, where the oldest hospital in Barcelona is located - the Hospital of the Holy Cross (Hospital de Santa Creu), built in 1401. Currently, the hospital building houses a rich collection of Catalan books.
To the west of the southern part of the Ramblas are the districts of El Raval and Chinatown (Barri Shines). The 16th-century mansion Casa de la Caritat (House of Mercy) houses the Cultural Center. Next to it stands the building of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, erected in 1995 according to a design by Richard Meier. Immediately after the old customs office, if you go down the Ramblas, begins the Old Port of the city (Port Vell), converted into a harbor for pleasure boats. On the Moll de Barcelona promenade there is a pier for passenger ships and World Center trade. The Ramblas are connected to the Moll d'Espanya promenade by a drawbridge and the Rambla de Mar pedestrian dam. On Mol d'España there is Maregagnum, a complex of restaurants, shops and cinemas, and one of the best aquariums in Europe is also located here. You can explore the Barcelona harbor near the Old Port thanks to excursions on small ships called golondrinas ("swallows") ". They moor at the steps of the embankment at the Plaza del Portal de la Pau. The Golondrinas pass the Montjuic mountain and enter the industrial port.
A significant monument modern architecture Spain is the Olympic Village (Vila Olimpica), built in Barcelona specifically for the 1992 Olympics on the site of the former port quarter. New houses were located on the lands of the former factory district, and the Nova Icaria park was created. Two 44-story skyscrapers were erected by the sea, one of them occupied by offices, and the other by the Arts Hotel. A yacht club was built nearby (Port Olympic, Port Olimpic).
There are many museums and cultural monuments in the Old Town. One of the most significant is the Palace of Catalan Music (Palau de la Musica Catalana), located in the north of the Gothic Quarter. The architecture of the building and its decorative elements are made in Art Nouveau style. This is the only one in Europe concert hall with natural light. It was designed by Luis Domenech i Montaner and built in 1908 on the site of a monastery that closed in the 19th century. The house is surrounded by mosaic columns with busts of Palestrina, Bach and Beethoven. The second floor hall is illuminated through a magnificent mosaic dome. The proscenium arch is decorated with two sculptures - Wagner and the Catalan composer Josep Anselm Clavet, who participated in the creation of the Orfeo-Catala choral society.
One of the main attractions of the Old Town and Barcelona in general is the Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso), which occupies five mansions on Montcada Street - Meca, Berenguer d'Aguilar, Mauri, Finestres and Baro de Castellet. The basis of the museum opened in 1968 , was the collection of Picasso's friend Jaime Sabartes. Picasso's life was connected with Barcelona from the moment he moved here from his native Malaga at the age of 14. Picasso left for Paris at the age of 20, returned to Barcelona several times, but after Franco's victory he did not came to Spain. After the death of Sabartes, Picasso himself donated many of his works to the museum, the collection of which was also replenished with the artist’s graphics and 141 works of his ceramics, a gift from his widow Jacqueline. Of particular interest in the museum’s exhibition are early works by Picasso. The pearl of the collection is considered to be paintings from the cycle “Las “Las Meninas,” which is a grotesque interpretation of Velazquez’s painting of the same name.
In the Parc de la Ciutadella area there is the Museum of Modern Art (Museu d'Art Modern), which contains works by masters of Catalan art of the 19th and 20th centuries, including paintings by Santiago Rusiñol and Ramon Casas, pioneers of Catalan impressionism. In the collection The museum also presents works by Joaquim Mir, Isidre Nonel, Mikel Blay.
The Barcelona Museum of City History (Museu d'Historia), located in a Gothic building, and the Frederic Mares Museum, located in the Gothic Quarter, are noteworthy. In the first, valuable archaeological exhibits are of interest, for example, the remains of a Roman water supply system, fragments of Roman pavements and walls. The second was created by the famous sculptor and collector Mares, the museum building was previously part of the ensemble of the royal palace. The collection of the Mares Museum especially highlights the exhibitions of works of religious art of the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
Other museums in Barcelona include the Geological Museum (Museu de Geologia), the Zoological Museum (Museu de Zoologia), Maritime Museum(Museu Maritim) in Drassanes. The latter is based at the Drassanes dry dock base. The Barcelona Docks are the largest surviving medieval docks in the world. Among the oared ships built at Drassanes was the Real, the flagship of John of Austria, whose fleet defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Among the museum's exhibits is an authentic map of Amerigo Vespucci's journey.
Within the Old Town are the Ciutadella Park and the Parc Zoologic. The Ciutadella Park was created on the site of a former fortress built under Philip V after a 13-month siege of the city, which refused to recognize the Bourbon rights to the Spanish throne. In 1787, the fortress, which became a political prison, was demolished, the park was transferred to the city, and it hosted the 1888 World Exhibition. Of the fortress ensemble, only three structures have survived - the arsenal, which now houses the Parliament of Catalonia and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Governor's Palace (now a school) and the chapel. The park is especially attractive thanks to the cascade of fountains created by the architect Josep Fontsere with the participation of the young Gaudi. The cascade is topped by the Arc de Triomphe; the general appearance of the fountains resembles the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Barcelona Zoo, one of the best in Europe, is located in the southern part of Parc Ciutadella and was built in the 1940s. according to a special design - the animals are separated here not by cages, but by ditches with water. At the entrance to the zoo there is a sculpture by Roig i Soler “Lady with an Umbrella”, which has become a kind of symbol of Barcelona. The zoo's aquarium hosts dolphin and whale shows; the zoo's monkeys, including the famous albino gorilla Capito de nieves (Snowflake), are of particular interest.

Eixample
The Eixample district arose after the decision was made to expand Barcelona in 1854 (“Eixample” means “expansion” in Catalan). The greatest monuments of the Art Nouveau era are located here. According to the plan drawn up by Ildefons Cerdà y Suñer, the streets of the new neighborhoods were to intersect at right angles, with the exception of Avinguda Diagonal and Avinguda de Gaudi, connecting the Plaza de la Sagrada Familia ( Plaza de la Sagrada Familia) and the Hospital de la Santa Creu I de Sant Pau, built by the famous Catalan architect Domenca i Montaner.
The most famous creation of European Art Nouveau and the most famous architectural monument of the Eixample is the Church of the Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family, Sagrada Familia) of the great architect Antonio Gaudi. Construction of the church began in 1889, but during Gaudi’s lifetime only the Nativity facade was completed; after the architect’s death, construction continued according to his drawings, however, its completion was prevented by the civil war. By 1954, Gaudí's original plans were restored and work on the temple continued, but to this day there is debate about the authenticity of the reconstruction. The Nativity facade, completed by Gaudí in 1904, embodies the images of Faith, Hope and Charity. Sculptural compositions on the portals depict scenes of the birth of Christ and his childhood. The opposite façade of the temple, the façade of the Passion of Christ, was completed in 1980 under the direction of Josep Maria Subirax. Constructions made during Gaudí's lifetime include the apse, altar canopy and crypt. Gaudi's grave is located in the crypt, and services are held here. There is still no altar installed under the altar canopy. The construction of the temple is expected to be completed by the construction of the nave and the southern façade of Glory, which should become the main entrance. The completed building should take the form of a Latin cross in plan, and the upper galleries should be supported by many carved columns.
Most of the Art Nouveau architectural monuments of the Eixample are concentrated in the so-called Golden Square (Quadrat d'Or), formed by blocks around Passeig de Gracia. In the southwestern part of the Golden Square is the Quarter of Discord (Illa de la Discordia) , a real museum under open air with a variety of modern monuments. These include Casa Lleo Morera, the first residential building built by Luis Domènech y Montaner, and Casa Amatller, by the architect Puig y Cadafalchi (now the building houses the Amatller Institute of Spanish Art). Casa Batllo is also located here, a creation of Gaudí, with the characteristic rounded lines of the façade and convex grilles of the balconies.
One of the most famous monuments Art Nouveau of the Golden Square, Eixample and Barcelona in general is Casa Mila (Casa Mila, or La Pedrera, La Pedrera - quarry) - Gaudí's most important contribution to the architecture of the city. The building is located on Passeig de Gracia, its construction lasted from 1906 to 1910. The design of this eight-story corner building included two circular courtyards for ventilation and Barcelona's first underground garage. There is not a single straight wall in the entire building, the outer walls are not decorated with anything, they are decorated only with fancy balcony bars created by Josep Maria Jujol. The roof of the house is crowned with amazing stove and ventilation pipes, which city residents jokingly call a “scarecrow for witches.”
On Avinguda Diagonal Street there is another significant architectural monument of the Eixample - the Casa Terrades residential building, built in 1903-1905. based on the Puig i Cadafalch project. Because of the six pointed towers at the corners, the house is often called the “House of Needles” (Casa de les Punches). This is the largest of all the buildings erected by Puiga i Cadafalch. The style of Casa Terrades is eclectic - it combines Gothic and Renaissance features. Typical of Art Nouveau is the combination of red brick and lighter stone, from which the carved floral ornament on the facade is made.
In the north-eastern region of Eixample is the Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau, which was designed by Domènech i Montaner in 1902 and completed by his son Pere in 1930 . The architect planned to build 26 elegant pavilions in the Mudejar style, surrounded by trees, instead of ordinary hospital wards. Service rooms and corridors are located underground. The pavilions are richly decorated: the towers are decorated with ceramic tiles, the reception area is decorated with mosaics and a sculpture by Pablo (Pau) Gargallo.
On the territory of the Golden Square there is one of most interesting museums Barcelona - Tapies Museum (Fundacio Antoni Tapies), which exhibits the works of one of the most famous contemporary abstract artists, Antoni Tapies. The museum building is very remarkable - it is the first house in Barcelona built from metal structures. Passeig de Gracia, which runs along the Golden Square, is home to famous fashion houses, clothing stores and boutiques. For example, Adolfo Dominges is a store of classic men's and women's clothing, and you can buy high-quality shoes for leisure and sports from Arman Basi. Vincon is also located here, one of the largest stores in Barcelona selling interior items. Here it is easy to choose a gift for every taste.

Montjuic
The area of ​​Mount Montjuic (the name, according to one version, means “Jewish mountain”, since there was once a Jewish cemetery here, and according to another version it is due to the fact that the Romans built the Temple of Jupiter on it, giving it its name Mont Iovis - Mount Jupiter), located in the southern part of the city near the commercial port, is a concentration of significant cultural monuments, museums, attractions and nightclubs. In 1640, a castle was built on Mount Montjuic; no housing was built here for a long time due to difficulties with the water supply. In 1929, Montjuic became the center of the World Exhibition, then the Aviguda de la Reina Cristina Avenue was laid, in the center of which is the famous Magic Fountain with colored lighting. Behind it is the National Palace and the Museum of Art. On Montjuic there is the so-called Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol) - a complex of rural houses that house various souvenir shops and craft workshops. For the 1992 Olympics, modern sports facilities were built on Montjuic.
Montjuic is a wonderful promenade and offers wonderful views of the city. The architecture of Montjuic is characterized by eclecticism, for example, in the Spanish Village, traditional rural architecture of Spain predominates, and the building of the Fundacio Miró Museum is built in an emphatically modern style. At the top of Montjuic mountain there is a castle (Castell de Montjuic)) from the 18th century. The castle was first built on this site in 1640, then it was demolished in 1705 by order of Philip V. The modern castle was built under the Bourbons. After civil war it was used as a prison and currently houses the Museum of Military History.
The Spanish village was created with the aim of presenting typical Spanish architectural styles and folk crafts. All its 116 houses represent a miniature model of Spain. Famous artists and architects worked on the creation of the Spanish Village. Its shops and shops sell glassware, ceramics, figurines and damascenes - Toledo jewelry with gold inlays. The Towers of Avila (Torres de Avila), through which you can enter the Spanish Village, houses a famous nightclub with an interior created by famous designers A. Arrabis and J. Mariscal.
Passeig Olimpic is home to the Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic), built in 1992 on the basis of the former stadium created by Domenech i Roura for the “alternative” Olympic Games of 1936, which did not take place due to the civil war. The modern stadium seats 70 thousand people. Next to it is the Palace of Sant Jordi.
Wonderful architectural monument The Art Nouveau era is the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion (Pavello Mies van der Rohe), created as the German Pavilion for the 1929 World Exhibition by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, head of the avant-garde Bauhaus school of artists and designers. In the pavilion there is the famous Barcelona chair made by him. The building was demolished after the exhibition closed and then restored for the centenary of the birth of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The National Museum of Catalan Art (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) is located in the magnificent building of the National Palace (Palau Nacional), which was built for the World Exhibition of 1929. The museum houses the largest collection of Romanesque art in Europe. Particularly impressive are the 12th century frescoes, transferred from the Pyrenees churches. Exhibits from the Gothic period are collected from all over Spain. Of considerable value are the works of the Catalan masters Luis Dalmau and Jaume Huguet (15th century). The museum's exhibitions, which tell about the art of the Baroque and Renaissance eras, highlight works by El Greco, Velazquez and Zurbaran In front of the Palau Nacional is the Magic Fountain on Avinguda da la Reina Maria Cristina, on which rise two 47-meter bell towers by the architect R. Raventos.In 1929, between them was the entrance to the World Exhibition.
Another significant museum on Montjuic is the Fundacio Joan Miro, associated with the work of the famous Catalan artist Joan Miro. One of the founders of surrealism, Miró has always remained a fan of Catalan art. In 1975, after the end of the Franco regime, Miró's friend, the architect Josep Luis Sert, designed a building with natural light for a permanent exhibition of paintings, drawings and sculpture. Miró donated many of his works to the museum, including the Barcelona Cycle (1939-1944), consisting of 50 black and white lithographs.
Also of interest are the Ethnological Museum (Museu Etnologic) and the Museum of Archeology (Museu Arqueologic) in Montjuic. The first contains exhibits from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. The exhibition of the Museum of Archeology, located in the Palace of Graphic Arts, covers the period from prehistoric times to the rule of the Visigoths. The oldest exhibit in the museum is a statue from the 4th century BC. “The Lady of Ibiza” from excavations of the Carthaginian necropolis on the island of Ibiza.

Outskirts
The outskirts of Barcelona are the most modern areas of the city; they were built up in the late 1980s - early 1990s. Then the main station of Sants was renovated, next to it the parks of Industrial Spain (Parc d'Espanya Industrial) and Parc Joan Miro were laid out. The Parc El Clot park is distinguished by its ultra-modern layout. The new national theatre.
On the western outskirts of Barcelona is the Royal Palace of Pedralbes (Palau Reial de Pedralbes), named after the famous Barcelona monastery. This building, formerly the estate of Eusebio Güell, was rebuilt as a royal residence in 1919. Since 1937, the palace has been open to tours and houses exhibitions of the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Ceramics.
In the north-west of Barcelona is architectural complex Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes. The monastery was founded in 1326 by Elisenda de Moncada de Pinhos, the fourth wife of Jaume II, King of Aragon and Catalonia. The cells, refectory, kitchen and hospital of the monastery are perfectly preserved. Particularly interesting is the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel (Capella de Sant Miquel), where there is a wall painting depicting the Passion of Christ and the life of Holy Virgin Mary, executed by Ferrer Bassa (1346). In 1989, 60 paintings from the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection were donated to the monastery, which are currently on display in the former monastery dormitory.
On the outskirts of Barcelona there are parks and other attractions loved by the city's residents and its guests. Any fan of contemporary art must visit Parque Joan Miró, also known as Parc de l'Escoshador, from the name of the city massacre - “escoshador”. The park is divided into two levels, on the upper one stands the famous sculpture of Miró “Woman and Bird” (1983). No less interesting is the Park of Industrial Spain, established in 1986. The park, attractive for its composition, exhibits works by six contemporary sculptors, including Andreas Nagel.
In 1922, Park Guell opened, created by Gaudí and declared by UNESCO part of the world cultural heritage. Gaudi planned to build 60 buildings in this park, especially interesting is the Hall of the Hundred Columns, which according to the project was supposed to serve as a place for the market. Fans all over the world know the Camp Nou football stadium and the Museum football club Barcelona is one of the most popular in Europe. The museum displays portraits and statues of Barcelona's most famous players, which were commissioned for the Blau Grana Biennial, an exhibition in honor of the club held in 1985 and 1987.

Encyclopedia of tourism Cyril and Methodius. 2008 .

It is beautiful, unusual and one of the most popular tourist cities in the world. It occupies part of the Mediterranean coast. The capital of Catalonia is located in the southern part of Spain and has geographical coordinates 2°11′00″ east longitude and 41°23′00″ north latitude.

Barcelona location on the map

On the map of the European continent, the city is located in its southwestern part. France is located 120 km from Barcelona.

On the map of Spain, the capital of Catalonia occupies the southern part. Malaga is located 990 km from it, 623 km, and 351 km.

Urban areas

The city administratively consists of 10 districts, of which the three most visited by tourists are Montjuic with the hill of the same name, the Eixample with the main architectural masterpieces of Gaudí and the historical center of Barcelona - the Old Town with the Gothic Quarter.

Interactive city map

The interactive map of the city has civic and tourist objects marked on it - cafes, restaurants, attractions, museums, hotels, squares, streets, etc. It can grow and shrink.

City map with attractions

The capital of Catalonia is filled with amazing historical and architectural sites - the Gothic Quarter, the houses of Mila and Batllo with bizarre shapes, the Picasso and Miró museums, the tower and fortress of Montjuïc on the mountain of the same name, an art museum, singing fountains, the unusual Sagrada Familia, the famous Park Güell and many others . The website barcelona.city-tour.com has a map with all the most famous attractions of the city. You can also order there bus tour in Barcelona.

Metro map

You can walk around the capital of Catalonia for many hours, but to explore all its attractions you will need the metro, which is an inexpensive, fast and convenient public transport. Many of the city's famous attractions are located near metro stations. From Monday to Thursday it operates from five o'clock in the morning until midnight, on Fridays until two o'clock in the morning, and on Saturdays until Sunday morning. On holidays, the metro may operate differently. In this case, the schedule must be clarified separately. Ticket for 45 min. a trip by metro costs 2.15 euros. It can also be used to travel on any other public transport in Barcelona. The metro map of the Catalan capital can be carefully studied on its official website www.tmb.cat.

Airports

Barcelona has 3 airports. The distance to Reus is 105 kilometers, to Girona - 95 kilometers, and to El Prat - 15 kilometers. The latter is the largest and busiest Catalan airport. Every year it receives 20 million passengers. The airport is equipped with two terminals: T1 serves domestic and international flights, and T2 serves low-cost airlines. A map of El Prat can be viewed on the portal www.barcelona-airport.com.