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Legend attributes the Carthaginian foundation of Barcino to Hamilcar
Barca, father of Hannibal. About 15 BC, Romans redrew the town
as a castrum (a Roman military camp) centred on the "Mons
Taber", a little hill nearby the contemporary city hall (Plaça
de Sant Jaume). The Roman Colonia Julia Augusta Faventia Paterna
Barcino was outshone by the province's capital Tarragona but some
important Roman remains are exposed under the Plaça del
Rei, entrance by the city museum, Museu d'Història de la
Ciutat and the typically Roman grid-planning is still visible
today on the map of the historical centre, the Barri Gótic
("Gothic Quarter"). Some remaining fragments of the
Roman walls have been incorporated in the cathedral butted up
against them
The city was conquered by the Visigoths in the early 5th century,
by the Moors in the early 8th century, reconquered from the emir
in 801 by Charlemagne's son Louis who made Barcelona the seat
of Carolingian "Spanish Marches" (Marca Hispanica),
a buffer zone ruled by the Count of Barcelona. Barcelona was still
a Christian frontier territory when it was sacked by Al-Mansur
in 985.
The counts of Barcelona became increasingly independent and expanded
their territory to include all of Catalonia, later formed the
Crown of Aragon who conquered many overseas possessions, ruling
the western Mediterranean Sea with outlying territories as far
as Athens in the 13th century. The forging of a dynastic link
between the Crown of Aragon and Castile marked the beginning of
Barcelona's decline.
The city was devastated after the Catalonian Republic of 1640
- 1652, and again during the War of the Spanish Succession in
1714. King Philip V of Spain demolished half of the merchants'
quarter (La Ribera) to build a military citadel, as a way of both
punishing and controlling the rebel city. Official use of Catalan
language was forbidden, and the University withdrew.
Barcelona and the province of Catalonia were annexed by the French
Empire of Napoleon after he invaded Spain and put his brother
Joseph on the Spanish throne. It was returned to Spain after Napoleon's
downfall.
During the 19th century, Barcelona grew with the industrial revolution
and the introduction of many new industries. During a period of
weaker control by the Madrid authorities, the medieval walls were
torn down and the citadel of La Ribera was converted into an urban
park: the modern Parc de la Ciutadella, site of the 1888 "Universal
Exposition" (World's Fair). The exposition also left behind
the Arc de Triomf and the Museu de Zoologia (a building originally
used during the fair as a cafe-restaurant). The fields that had
surrounded the artificially constricted city became the Eixample
("extension"), a bustling modern city surrounding the
old.
Famous people who have lived and worked in Barcelona include:
Master Painters Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí,
Antoni Tàpies, Enrique Tábara, Eugenio Granell,
Antonio Saura, Manolo Millares, Juan Villafuerte; Architect Antoni
Gaudí.
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Barcelona
City Tour - Half Day
Daily throughout the year, except 25/12
and 01/01
Plaça Catalunya, Via Laietana, the Cathedral
and its cloister, the Gothic Quarter, Plaça
Sant Jaume (Genralitat and Town Hall). We´ll
continue on to the Vila Olimpica (athletes residencial
complex during the Olympics) and the Port Olimpic
(Olympic harbour), which we´ll go up the Montjuich
Mountain, which offers a panoramic view of the city
and the port (harbour). We shall tour the Stadium.
Palu Sant Jordi and Calatrava Tower. We´ll visit
the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) which reproduces
the most typical regional architectural style of Spain.
At the same time you will be able to taste the famous
Catalan Cava. On our way back to terminal we´ll
make a stop at the famous Hard Rock Cafe.
Departure: 09:30 Terminal - Rda. Universidad,
5.
Duration: 3 1/2 hrs approx
From:
€ 36.05
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Barcelona
City Tour -Full Day
Daily throuhgout the year, except
Mondays, 25/12, 26/12 and from 1 to 15 January.
Plaça de Catalunya, Via Laietana, the Cathedral
and its cloister. We'll tour the Gothic Quarter -
legacy of the Roman And Medieval periods. Town Hall
Palace, Passeig de Colom, Monumenta of Christopher
Colombus, Avinguda Miramar, Montjuich Mountain - where
we´ll enjoy a panoramic view of the city an
Port (harbour) - and the Olympic complex. We´ll
visit the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) which reproduces
the most typical regional architectural styles in
Spain.
Lunch and free time to continue visiting this complex.
At the same time you will be able to taste the famous
Catalan Cava.
In the afternoon we'll continue on to Passeig de
Gracia, a bus tour to see a view of Gaudi´s
famous building Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, followed
by a visit to Güell Park (also by Gaudi), declared
an artistic monument and mankind´s heritage
by the UNESCO. We will then go back to admire the
"Sagrada Familia" (Holy Family) Cathedral
- an unfinished masterpiece of the world grreat architect,
Gaudi. We´ll also visit Barcelona´s Monumental
Bull Ring and the Picasso Museum which exhibits works
from this world-famous painter´s " blue"
and "pink" periods.
On Sundays and Mondays the Picasso Museum is closed
to the public, so on those days we'll visit La Ciutadella
or Santa Matia del Mar.
Departure: 09:20 Terminal - Rda. Universidad,
5.
Duration: 9 1/2 hrs approx
From:
€ 91
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