Venue
About
Barcelona:
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia and is
Spain's second largest city, with a population of over one and half million
people.
Located on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, this
city has a rich and diverse history, with its roots dating back to Roman times.
The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona's position as
the economic and political centre of the Western Mediterranean. The city's Gothic
Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th
to the 15th centuries.
The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout
Barcelona city, culminating in its landmark Eixample district, which showcases
some of Barcelona's most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings. The Catalan Antoni
Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as La
Pedrera, the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church, which have become
world-famous landmarks.
In 1992, Barcelona gained international recognition by hosting the
Olympic games which brought about a massive upturn in its tourism industry. For
visitors, this has translated into the very modern, yet incredibly old city you
see now in the 21st century, where new elements work to both preserve and
celebrate both the city’s heritage and origins.
Barcelona is plenty of outdoor markets, restaurants, shops,
museums, and churches. The city is also very walkable, with an extensive and
reliable Metro system for more far-flung destinations.
For a complete overview, see wikitravel.org or
visit barcelonaturisme.com.