In addition, it is a significant Mediterranean seaport, a large commercial and industrial center of the EU.
Barcelona is the capital of the Mediterranean Union, which includes more than four dozen states. This city hosted the Summer Olympics-92, various sports competitions of the European and world level were held here.
Barcelona is located in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean coast. The Pyrenees are located more than 100 km north of the capital of Catalonia. Nearby are the mountains of Colseropa, which are the boundaries of the city.
Barcelona lies on a hilly area, each hill has given its names to its quarters: Carmel, Monterols, Puchet, Rovira, Peyra, etc. All of them have their own cultural, historical and architectural attractions.
Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate. There is a dry winter, similar to our Indian summer, and a mild warm summer with warm rains. The coldest time here is in January and February - about +10C. The warmest time of the year is the second half of summer - around +25C.
Most of the rain falls in the city in October, and the least - in July. This climate is ideal for a tourist holiday, there is never sweltering heat or frost.
Regarding the origin of Barcelona, there are two main legends. The first says that the city was founded by the famous hero of ancient Greek myths Hercules in the 11th century BC, and then it was rebuilt in the 3rd century BC. Carthaginian Barca, father of Hannibal.
The second legend excludes Hercules from the founders of Barcelona and says that it was the Carthaginian Barca who was the first founder of this city and named it Barcino in honor of his own family.
By the beginning of our era, Barcelona became a Roman colony, gradually grew rich due to its harbor, minted its own coin and settled down. Beautiful Roman buildings have been preserved here to this day.
In the 5th century, the city was conquered by the Visigoths and became the capital of their kingdom. After a short time, Barcelona was conquered by other barbarians - the Ostrogoths. And two centuries later, in the 7th century, the Moors came here.
And in the 9th century, Barcelona was recaptured by the son of the King of the Franks, Charlemagne, and appointed his own count here, who proclaimed the independence of Catalonia. Then the confederation of Catalonia and Aragon was formed, and in the XVII century - the Catalan Republic.
In the XVIII century, the battle of Spain for Catalonia began. Philip V captured Barcelona, destroyed most of the city and banned the Catalan language. Then Catalonia was annexed to France, and after the fall of Napoleon returned to Spain.
In the 20th century during civil war Catalan was again banned in Catalonia in Spain. Protests in the seventies of the XX century led to the revival of the language and the permission to use it in everyday life. Today there are 7 universities in Barcelona.
A few kilometers from Barcelona there is an international airport, it is the second largest in Spain and the largest in the Mediterranean. The airport is connected to Barcelona by metro, railway and expressway.
The seaport of Barcelona has a history of 2,000 years. It is engaged in maritime transport of passengers and cargo, is growing rapidly, and in the near future its area should double.
Barcelona is the most important railway center in Spain. There are several major railway stations here. There are high-speed railways in the country, incl. passing through Barcelona.
Public transport in Barcelona is represented by the underground with 11 lines (city and private). Subway lines connect the city with its suburbs, they are located underground and on its surface.
Networks of city buses, trams belong to private companies. All urban transport is adapted for the disabled. Taxi drivers in Barcelona are mostly privately licensed. There is a practice of renting a car.
This is the most popular beach in Barcelona, where tourists and locals love to relax, although it is quite far from the city center. The beach is located in a cozy and clean bay and has all the necessary beach equipment, incl. for invalids.
Once there was a church with the same name, and today there is a small but very comfortable beach. It is located almost in the center of Barcelona, so it continues to gain popularity.
This is the farthest beach from the city center. It opened only a few years ago, but already has all the necessary infrastructure for comfortable rest. It has excellent service and relatively few visitors.
This beach was opened for the Olympics-92 and tourists and residents of Barcelona almost immediately liked it. Sports fans will find entertainment here. Nearby is the well-known yacht club in the city. There are nudists nearby.
This is the oldest beach in the city. However, age has not affected its quality in any way, so the beach is extremely popular. It has recently been completely renovated, so it is now considered the cleanest and safest in the city.
In this part of Barcelona, most of the historical and architectural monuments built here during the time of Ancient Rome, as well as Gothic buildings erected in the Middle Ages and Modern times, have been preserved. Great place for excursions.
A modern landmark of the city, built for the Olympics-92. Here you can visit the Olympic Port, sail around the harbor on a yacht, visit two skyscrapers where the athletes lived, etc.
This is the beginning of the New City in Barcelona, built during the time of Queen Isabella II. The square is located on the border with the Gothic quarter, and further from it are quarters built along straight and perpendicular lines, with outgoing highways.
The aquarium is the world's longest glass tunnel, passing through which you can observe the life of fish, animals and other sea creatures. It is also the largest European aquarium.
This Catholic Cathedral was designed by the great Antoni Gaudí. The temple is supported only by donations from private individuals. One of the most popular architectural monuments in the world.
The famous boulevard of Barcelona, where tourists and residents of Barcelona walk in the evenings. There are many street cafes, souvenir shops, you can watch performances of street artists, etc.
Another great landmark of the city created by Gaudí. This house is considered a symbol of Barcelona, its hallmark. On the lower floors in the house live ordinary people and a museum upstairs.
Another work of Antonio Gaudi, a real masterpiece of a brilliant architect. In fact, this is the beginning of his independent path, the first unique creation, the ideas of which Gaudi later applied in other projects.
This is a large open-air museum, which contains reconstructions of dwellings from Catalonia, Andalusia, Galicia, Aragon and other Spanish regions, in which the Spaniards lived during the Middle Ages.
This famous monument observation deck upstairs is set on the Las Ramblas. It was in the old port of Barcelona that Columbus arrived after his famous campaign, which ended with the discovery of America.
Barcelona has a very vibrant nightlife, which you should definitely get to know, first with a guide, and then on your own. It is best to avoid the beaten paths of tourists and wander in the back streets of the Old Town and the Gothic Quarter.
Here you can find old pubs with their own unique history, bohemian bars where Picasso and Dali used to visit, drinking establishments serving great craft beer, and other "evil" places.
In Barcelona, there are hundreds of famous excursions from professional guides that will help you:
Of course, Barcelona, as a resort, is intended for people of the European middle class and more affluent segments of the population. The prices here are quite high, because. this is one of the best resorts in Europe.
Barcelona is the center of the Spanish administrative province of Catalonia, which has a great identity, to the point that the Catalans consider themselves separate ethnic group and have their own dialect, different from the classical Spanish. Barcelona has a population of over 1.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country after Madrid, the capital of Spain. The city is divided into 10 administrative districts, each of which is governed by its own council.
The city is located on the Mediterranean coast, thanks to which it is not only an attractive place for tourists, but also a major seaport. In addition, the city is a developed industrial center, where, for example, the production of the national automobile company Seat, as well as foreign manufacturers, including Renault, Peugeot, Ford and others.
In addition, tourists are attracted to Barcelona by the Olympic facilities that remained in the city after the 1992 Summer Olympics. In addition to their impressive size and unusual architecture, these objects are notable for being located at the very top of the Montjuic mountain, which offers an unforgettable view of the city, port and sea.
Finally, an important part of most tourist trips is a beach holiday, and in this regard, Barcelona also has something to offer to numerous tourists. So, the famous Barceloneta beach is located right in the central part of the city, however, those who prefer to be away from the main mass of tourists can choose more northern beaches. At the same time, despite the fact that these beaches are located right within the city, they are distinguished by the purity of sand and water, which is annually confirmed by the award of the world symbol clean beach- Blue flag.
The largest Spanish city of Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia.and cultural tourist pearl of Europe.
It is famous not only for its rich history, but also for its unique sights.
Barcelona attracts tourists from all over the world with its indescribable special atmosphere, which makes every trip truly unforgettable.
This is a calm city, no one is in a hurry here, cheerful laughter is heard from all corners, but at the same time, Barcelona is a lively place where life boils and rages.
The city plays a very important industrial, industrial, economic and trading role in the development not only of Spain, but of the whole of Europe.
Barcelona is a museum city of the Mediterranean, one of the largest cities in Spain in terms of size and population, as well as the capital of one of its 17 autonomies -.
Barcelona has two official languages: Catalan and Spanish. Despite this, the Catalans try to use their native speech, in fact forcing all visitors to do so. For example, to apply for a job in government agency even a Spaniard has to pass the Catalan proficiency exams. And on the streets of Barcelona, tourists are much more likely to speak Catalan than any other.
More than one and a half million people live in the city. Another 4 million live in the suburbs, and the province of the same name has almost 5 million inhabitants.
In terms of population, Barcelona is in second place in Spain after and tenth in the European Union.
Since March 2010, Barcelona has also been the capital of the Mediterranean Union, which unites 43 countries.
View from Park Güell.The capital of Catalonia is located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula - the most picturesque place and, as they say, the most European part Spain.
Barcelona is located at the mouth of the river with the unusual name Llobregat on several hills, the largest of which is the mountain, which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding panorama.
The natural landscape has not only given the city an advantage in defense against enemies, but also presented stunning magnificent views that attract millions of tourists and inspire artists and poets.
Gorgeous parks and gardens are laid out on the slopes of the mountains encircling Barcelona in a semicircle.
BUT East End cities are open to the sea.
National Art Museum of Catalonia.When a traveler sees the amazing combination of modern and ancient buildings, he wonders how old Barcelona is.
The history of the Catalan beauty began in the 1st century BC.
Then the city of Laie arose here, later conquered by the Romans and called Barcino.
The modern name was given to him by the Moors, under whose influence from 801 Barcelona was.
For many centuries, the city alternately passed to the Catholics, then to the Muslims. The situation was complicated by internal unrest and hostility between the owners of the castles.
The heyday of Catalonia began with the coming to power of the Bourbons. At this time, industry and trade began to develop, the construction of the railway began, the first factory and the heart of Barcelona appeared - Las Ramblas.
The 20th century was once again turbulent for Catalonia. In 1932, after the abdication of King Alfonso III, it declared itself a republic with its own governing bodies and its own Generalitat.
Freedom came to an end in the time of Franco: for 40 years, the Catalans were under the yoke of a dictatorship.
The situation changed only in 1978, when Spain became a constitutional monarchy, consisting of autonomies.
Catalonia received the largest number of freedoms and this continues to this day.
The climate in Barcelona is quite comfortable at any time of the year.
Winter here is mild, snowless, daytime temperature usually does not fall below +10 degrees.
True, it often rains, but they are not a hindrance to the guests of Catalonia.
The holiday season opens in May and ends in October.
The air during these months warms up to +30, water - up to +23 degrees.
| Air temperature during the day, ° С | Air temperature at night, °C | Precipitation, mm | Air humidity, % | |
| January | 12 | 9 | 35 | 65 |
| February | 12 | 8 | 36 | 65 |
| March | 14 | 10 | 62 | 64 |
| April | 16 | 12 | 63 | 69 |
| May | 19 | 15 | 61 | 68 |
| June | 22 | 19 | 33 | 67 |
| July | 25 | 22 | 25 | 69 |
| August | 26 | 22 | 30 | 69 |
| September | 23 | 20 | 57 | 70 |
| October | 20 | 17 | 89 | 69 |
| November | 15 | 12 | 92 | 65 |
| December | 12 | 9 | 38 | 63 |
(Data taken from the Yandex Weather service).
Just as theaters start with a hanger, so cities start with airports, railway stations or seaports.
This is a real labyrinth of cramped lanes and narrow streets, every corner of which is literally saturated with the spirit of the Middle Ages. It was here that the history of the city was born.
This area is home to ancient buildings and churches such as Santa Maria del Mar and the Cathedral.
Also, the main attractions of Barcelona are those that the great Gaudi created - this is the palace and park Guell, the houses of Batllo and Mila, the unique Sagrada Familia and much more, which attracts many tourists here.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.One of the favorite places for walking citizens and guests of the city is ("Jewish Mountain").
There are many objects here, which will not be enough to explore even a few days.
Here are a few:
Other top attractions in Barcelona include:
The answer to the question of what to see on your own in Barcelona depends on how much time you have left.
Even if it's only the weekend, don't pass by a few interesting places:
Another must-see place in Barcelona is rambla street . Here you can feel the spirit of the Catalan capital, try sweets in street cafes, watch impromptu shows of artists.
This street is considered one of the most beautiful on earth, there are always crowds of citizens, merchants and tourists.
The unusual color and magnetism of the boulevard attracts guests of the city to the bright stalls of the old market and amazing shops.
The unique neighborhood of Gothic and modern architecture never ceases to amaze tourists and is the legitimate pride of the Catalans.
Those who want to see all the sights stay in Barcelona for a few days.
This city is a real museum with amazing expositions and inexhaustible storerooms.
If you have some time left, you should leave the hospitable Catalan capital and see the sights around Barcelona.
Here are the best things to focus on:
Barcelona is famous not only for museums and architecture, but also for the abundance of pickpockets.This is especially true for busy tourist areas.
Therefore, documents and valuables should be kept in a hotel safe.
The bag should be kept in plain sight, and annoying strangers should be ignored.
Otherwise, the capital of Catalonia is a pleasant and safe city.
Here are three tips to help you on your journey:
Every guest of amazing Barcelona regrets only one thing: that the trip ends so quickly.
But the meeting will certainly not be the last, because as the American actress Meghan Markle says:
"Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world."
Barcelona (Spain) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Barcelona with descriptions, guides and maps.
Barcelona is a city in northeastern Spain, the capital of Catalonia. It is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast with a population of more than one and a half million people and the second largest in the country. Barcelona is a lively seaside city and port with a magnificent cultural and historical heritage, a unique atmosphere and charming architecture. The center of Catalonia attracts with its mild climate and relaxed lifestyle, surreal buildings - masterpieces of Gaudí, beaches and the sea, delicious food and entertainment for every taste.
The sights of Barcelona span almost 2,000 years of its history and include: the medieval old town, a unique street grid that reflects the urban planning trends of the 19th century, and many interesting, unusual and even slightly fabulous buildings, of which the architectural delights of Antonio Gaudi stand out in particular. On the streets of the capital of Catalonia, you can easily find ancient rarities of the Roman past, medieval quarters and cathedrals, sculptural and architectural masterpieces modernism and modernity. Barcelona is the city where Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro drew inspiration, where you can wander aimlessly through its streets, stumbling into charming corners, listening to street musicians or having a good time in cozy cafes.
Barcelona is located on the territory of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean coast, 120 km from the border with France. From the south, the city is bounded by the Collserola mountains and the Llobregat river, and from the north by the Besos river. The highest point is Tibidabo. The city itself lies on five hills, which gave the city districts their name.
The climate is Mediterranean, with dry and humid summers and warm and dry winters. The hottest period is July and August. The coldest is January. Although even in winter average temperature about +10 degrees.
The highest tourist season is July and August. At this time, the city is given to the "torn apart" by tourists. The locals mostly leave the city. Some restaurants and shops are closed, and hotel prices "bite". The most comfortable time to visit Barcelona is the off-season. At this time it is warm here, but not hot. You can come to the capital of Catalonia in winter. During this period there are few tourists, it is quite warm and dry.
There are several legends about the founding of the city. One of them attributes the foundation of Barcelona to the legend of myths - Hercules, the other - to the Carthaginians. It is known for certain that the Iberians lived here. Their city was conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. The Romans built a fortification here, the center of which was located near the square of St. Jacob. Thanks to its location and access to the sea, the city grew, grew rich and strengthened until it was conquered by the Visigoths in the 5th century. Interestingly, the remains of ancient Roman fortifications and structures can still be found on the streets of Barcelona.
After the conquest by the Visigoths, the capital of their kingdom was located here for some time. At the beginning of the 6th century, in the vicinity of Barcelona, a battle took place between the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths, in which the latter won. In the 8th century, the Berbers took Barcelona. At the very beginning of the 9th century, the son of Charlemagne conquered the city and made it the capital of the Spanish brand. At the end of the 10th century, after the raid of Al-Mansur, the Carolingians lost control of the capital of Catalonia, which gained independence.
In the 12th century, Catalonia united with Valencia, forming the Kingdom of Aragon, which lasted until the 15th century. In the 1410 century, control of the city passed to the Castilian dynasty. In the second half of the 17th century, after the fall of the Catalan Republic, Barcelona was sacked. In the early 18th century, Catalonia was conquered by Spain, of which it remains to this day. In the 19th century, Barcelona experienced an industrial boom that contributed to the growth of the city. In the 20th century, the capital of Catalonia turns into one of the most significant and largest cities in Spain. Despite this, nationalist sentiments and tendencies towards political autonomy have historically been strong in the region.
Barcelona International Airport is one of the largest in Europe. It is located about 12 km from the city and consists of two terminals. Terminal T1 is new, it accepts a number of major international and European airlines. Terminal T2, which is mainly intended for small carriers and charters. You can get from the airport to the center of Barcelona (Plaza Catalunya) by bus A1 (from T1) and A2 (from T2). The trip will take 30 minutes. Buses run from 5.30 to 1.00. A cheaper option is bus 46, which serves both terminals and goes to the Plaza de España stop. The airport is also connected to the city by metro (line 9) and the natural train line.
Barcelona has a developed railway connection with Nice, Paris, Marseille, Milan, Zurich, Madrid and other European cities. Bus service is available with most major cities in Spain and European countries incl. London, Amsterdam, Cologne, Brussels, Paris, etc. By sea, Barcelona can be reached from Rome, Sardinia, Genoa, Livorno, Algeria.
Barcelona is one of the main shopping centers in Spain. There are more than 30,000 stores in the Catalan capital. The main shopping street is the pedestrian Las Rambla. Most shops and malls are closed on Sundays. The huge La Boqueria, located in Ciutat Vella, stands out from the markets. The most fashionable shops and boutiques are located in the same area. Souvenirs can be bought in the Gothic Quarter and Las Rambla.
The Catalans are proud of their cuisine, but to find a good and inexpensive place, we recommend turning off the tourist trails. In Barcelona, traditional Basque cuisine is common, as well as Spanish and Italian. Catalan cuisine is a variation of Mediterranean cuisine that includes soups, salads, meats, fish and seafood. Them traditional dishes you should try paella, pa amb tomėquet (bread with tomatoes), jamon, anchovy sandwich (anchoas de L "Escala), squid ink risotto (Arros negre), garlic pasta (El allioli), grilled sausages with beans (La butifarra), beans with black pudding (Las habas a la catalana), cannelloni (Los canelones) In addition, great wine is made in Catalonia!
From the best restaurants traditional cuisine can be distinguished:
Barcelona is famous for its nightlife. Almost every area of the city has its own bars and clubs. But the main place of concentration of such establishments is the port area.
The main attractions of Barcelona are concentrated in the following areas: the Old Town (Ciutat Vella), the Eixample and the port with the hill of Montjuic. The Old Town is the oldest part of the Catalan capital. Here you can find evidence of more than two thousand years of history of the city: from the ancient Roman period to the Middle Ages. The port and hill of Montjuic is a seaside part of the capital of Catalonia, where a shipyard and a large park are located. Eixample is a new city designed in the 19th century.
The old town is the historical core of Barcelona with an area of about 500 hectares. Until the middle of the 19th century, it was surrounded by fortress walls. A fragment of the original city fortifications can be found at the medieval shipyard, within the walls of which is located maritime museum. The region consists of four parts.
The central part of the old city is the Gothic Quarter. It has been the center of the city since Roman times. Here you can see the ruins of Roman buildings and plunge into the labyrinth of narrow medieval streets. In the Gothic Quarter, you can discover charming atmospheric places and picturesque quiet squares, enlivened by the emotions of people and the sounds of guitars, and in quaint courtyards, sit in cute little cafes with terraces.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint EulampiaLa Rambla is the famous pedestrian boulevard that divides the historic center into two parts. This is the busiest street in Barcelona. It was founded in the 18th century following the contours of the medieval walls.
La Rambla is home to impressive historic buildings, lots of shops, Barcelona's greatest theater and the impressive Boquería Market.
La Ribera is a charming area that has been chosen by the bohemians. In the past, the richest residents of Barcelona lived here. Now museums are located here, art galleries, restaurants and wine bars.
Port Vell is a medieval shipyard and port. Here is the starting point for pleasure boats. The Palau de Mar red brick building houses one of the most interesting museums in Barcelona - the Museum of the History of Catalonia.
The citadel park was built in the 19th century on the site of a military fortress for the World Exhibition.
The Sagrada Familia (Cathedral of the Holy Family) is a symbol of Barcelona and Gaudí's masterpiece, an impressive basilica and one of the most unusual churches in Europe. Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in Europe. The church was started by Gaudí at the end of the 19th century, but has not yet been completed.
Located in the northern part of Barcelona in the Eixample district. The Sagrada Familia is a fine example of surreal art nouveau architecture. During the construction, Antonio Gaudi did not have a clear idea and project. He changed the appearance of the basilica in the process of work. The famous Catalan architect planned to complete the work in 10-15 years.
Park Güell is another visiting card of Barcelona. This cheerful and colorful park was created by Gaudi and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Viaducts, grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding staircases and other charming places are scattered throughout the space. These imaginative structures are adorned with colorful ceramic fragments. The terrace of the park offers a beautiful view of the city and the sea. Gaudi himself was very fond of this area. This was also his home.
Casa Mila is an avant-garde residential building in the Eixample district built in the early 20th century. It is the most famous secular building of Gaudi and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each line of the facade of this amazing building from natural stone curved, with rounded windows and metal balconies twisting into the shape of plants. Even the roof has a wavy shape, complemented by decorative chimneys.
Casa Batlló is another Gaudí masterpiece and one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona. It is a wonderful example of modernist architecture and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fantastic mansion was designed as a private residence for a major textile worker, Josep Batllo. With free-swinging shapes and decorative facade, this fabulous building looks like a castle from a surreal fairy tale. Most of the details of his design completely depart from any architectural trends.
Montjuic - a hill near the port with the largest park in Barcelona - Tibidabo and the old Jewish cemetery. The beautiful palace houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia with collections of art from the 10th to the 20th century.
Monestir de Pedralbes is a 14th century monastery, a fine example of Catalan Gothic. Situated in a picturesque little park. The monastery museum houses a magnificent collection of medieval art from the 14th century.
Camp Nou is one of the greatest football stadiums in the world, the home arena of FC Barcelona.
- the capital of the Catalan autonomy, the second largest city in Spain and a fairly large seaport. A piece of the Iberian Peninsula with a rich history, where in different eras both the ancient Roman conquerors and Germanic tribes Visigoths and even warlike Berbers have been in the top 20 most fashionable tourist destinations for several decades.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that everything in Barcelona surprises: from the outrageous creations of Gaudí to the city market - the best supplier of the most unexpected delicacies in the entire Mediterranean. Dozens of museums, historical quarters and all kinds of monuments of medieval architecture here are generously "diluted" with nightclubs and fashionable boutiques. In addition, modern Barcelona is the embodiment of tolerance: perhaps that is why on its fertile soil both Catholic holidays and outrageous gay parades take root equally easily.
An overview of the city should begin with the Gothic Quarter (Barry Gothic). Its temples, palaces and museums embodied the glory of Catalonia, which reached its peak under the powerful counts of Barcelona. In the 1990s the port area was rebuilt from a labyrinth of gloomy and neglected streets into a glittering gateway to a new Mediterranean culture and gastronomy. The main artery of this area was La Rambla - a long avenue from Plaza de Catalunya to the statue of Christopher Columbus in the harbor.
The Eixample district is located in the western part of the old city. late XIX in. Much of Barcelona's Art Nouveau is here, including the famous Sagrada Familia, an unfinished masterpiece by architect Antoni Gaudí. From 1884, Gaudí put all his creative energies into the construction of the Sagrada Familia, the Sagrada Familia. The architect even settled on construction site and spent the last 16 years of his life that way. The cathedral has 4 spiers, each rising to a height of over 100 m, each decorated with colored ceramic tiles, and the stone portals look like they are made of melting wax or are a bizarre formation of stalactites. The facade of the Nativity is the most finished part of the Gaudí Cathedral, the doorways symbolize Faith, Hope and Charity. Beyond the cathedral is his fantastic Park Guell.
Among other creations of Gaudí, it can be noted that the locals call La Pedrera ("Stone Quarry"). This is a residential building with a wavy facade, the outlines of which were suggested by Gaudí by the view of the rocky massif of Montserrat - the sacred mountain of Catalonia. It seems that the volumes of the house seem to smoothly flow into one another, and the pipes and ventilation valves on the roof are a real sculpture garden.
More than 40 of the most interesting museums in Barcelona are concentrated on the beautiful Montjuic mountain, which can be reached by cable car from the main port. Public transport, especially the metro, is very convenient, restaurants are different the highest quality, while the surrounding hills and the sea lend clarity to the urban layout.
Barcelona is located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, snatching off one of the best sections of the Mediterranean coast. From the south, the capital of Catalonia is protected by the Collserola mountain range, and in the north, its borders are outlined by the Besos River. The most outstanding mountain point of the Barcelona environs is Tibidabo (512 m), while the title of the highest place within the metropolis remains behind the Mantes Taber hill (12 m).
Barcelona has a typical classic Mediterranean climate with warm and stingy winters followed by hot and humid summers. Even in the coldest months (January, February), the thermometer on the local streets never drops below +10 °C. The peak of the heat falls on July and August, when the average temperature in the city is set at +25 °C, or even +30 °C.
The vast majority of tourists tend to get to Barcelona in summer season to combine a traditional run through the cult places of the metropolis with a relaxing beach holiday and trips to festivals, which the Catalan capital is so rich in. Anti-bonuses that automatically come with the high season are huge crowds of travelers besieging all the iconic sights and beaches of the metropolis, combined with intense heat. But in May, June and the second half of September in Barcelona it is already much quieter, more spacious and even a little bit cheaper, so it makes sense to plan a trip for these months (unless, of course, it’s a pity to sacrifice beach relaxation). You can also get your portion of fun in winter: Christmas and the Parade of the Three Kings in the Catalan capital are celebrated with great pomp and scope.
As true patriots, Barcelona residents tend to slightly embellish the history of their native city. For example, here they quite seriously believe that the Catalan capital was founded by Hercules himself. On the other hand, it is very difficult to reproach the locals with excessive exaggeration, since the first written mention of a settlement in this part of the Iberian Peninsula appeared only by 236 BC. e.
Initially, Barcelona was called Barcino: in honor of the Carthaginian commander Hamilcar Barca who settled in these places. In 133 BC. e. the city was visited by the Romans, leaving in it a characteristic layout of city streets (), and the remains of military fortifications, as a keepsake of their presence.
In the Middle Ages, Catalonia became a tasty morsel for militant tribes. As a result, Barcelona was first occupied by the Visigoths, later losing it to the Arabs. True, in 801, Louis the Pious managed to recapture the city and found the capital of the Spanish brand in it, while it was not possible to achieve complete independence.
A serious test for Barcelona was participation in the War of the Spanish Succession, as a result of which it was under siege for a long time, after which it was taken by attack and partially destroyed (by that time the city had managed to be part of the Catalan-Aragonese Confederation, as well as the Catalan Republic).
By the 19th century, the capital of Catalonia had grown significantly, having gone beyond the walls of the fortress, but in the literal sense, the city began to flourish and develop only at the beginning of the 20th century.
In administrative terms, Barcelona is divided into 10 districts, while, from a tourist point of view, only three of them remain the most prominent.
The Old Town is the historical heart of the Catalan capital, containing the most ancient and, accordingly, the most valuable architectural monuments. It is the Old Town that owns the colorful heritage of the gloomy Middle Ages - stretching from Plaza Catalunya to Via Laetana Avenue. For your information, 99% of all introductory tourist tours start from Plaza Catalunya, which acts as a link between the old part of Barcelona and the new one.
Barcelona hosted Summer Olympic Games 1992, as well as several matches of the 1982 World Cup. Barcelona has two 5-star stadiums: Camp Nou and the Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olimpíc Lluís Companys), which hosted the 1992 Olympics, and now plays Espanyol until the new club stadium is completed.
Montmelo near Barcelona hosts the traditional Spanish Grand Prix in Formula 1 racing, as well as motorcycle racing. Previously, the Formula 1 track was held in the Pedralbes area.
