Andy Steves' Europe by Andy Steves

Author:Andy Steves
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avalon Travel
Published: 2016-08-02T16:00:00+00:00

BARCELONA 101

Founded as a military encampment and then an ancient Roman walled port town with—count ’em—72 towers, Barcino, as it was known, was handed back and forth between numerous conquering powers throughout the centuries. As a result, citizens developed a unique cultural identity that reflected the amalgamation of the cultures that controlled the city over the years. Catalonia was consolidated under one crown in the 12th century and grew wealthy from its rich sea trade. When Ferdinand (king of Catalonia) and Isabella (queen of Castile, aka the rest of Spain), famous for the Spanish Inquisition and for sponsoring Columbus, married in 1496, political power gradually shifted to Madrid. Buffeted by war and plagues over the next several hundred years, Barcelona endured a slow decline.

The 20th century kicked off with an ambitious city-planning project epitomized by a unique architectural style: modernism, also known as Catalan art nouveau. It left a significant mark on the city you see today. From palaces to private residences (Block of Discord), and light posts (Plaça Reial) to the grandest, most ambitious cathedral project in the world (Sagrada Familia), Barcelona was architect Antoni Gaudí’s canvas, over which he enthusiastically spread his nationalist pride. Simultaneously, the bloody and tragic Spanish Civil War followed. Many civilians fled to France as fascist dictator Franco came to power in 1939 and began actively suppressing the Catalan language, traditions, and culture. The only way to express regional patriotism was by cheering for the soccer club, FC Barcelona, which at least partly explains the passion of the team’s modern fan base. For Catalans, fútbol was an opportunity to keep their quieted culture alive. After 36 long years, Franco reinstated the Spanish monarchy, putting King Juan Carlos I, who promised to continue Franco’s dictatorial style, on the throne. But upon Franco’s death, the king returned the country to a democratic system.

In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Olympics and found itself back on the international stage. The city was revitalized with a brand-new metro system, beautiful parks, a cleaned-up medieval center, and four kilometers of brand-new white-sand beaches. (Fun facts: The sand was imported from Egypt, and the metro map mirrors the colors of the Olympic rings.)

Today, Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city after Madrid and is the capital of Spain’s richest region, Catalonia. Children here learn Catalan first and Castilian Spanish second. The pride and identity of Catalonia is as strong as ever. This pride has fostered both energy and tension, as the people of Catalonia decide which future they want for their children: an independent state, or one that continues to pay into the system to support the rest of Spain.

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