Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is located on the Mediterranean coast and is recognized as a global city due to its importance in commerce, finance, media, arts and international trade. The city has one of Europe’s principal Mediterranean ports and the International Airport of Barcelona is the second largest in Spain, after the Madrid-Barajas Airport. The city’s history goes back to the Roman era, a colony itself established by the Romans at the end of the 1st century BC. Over the years it merged with the Kingdom of Aragon and became one of the most important cities of the Crown of Aragon. The medieval period established the city’s position as the economic and political center of the Western Mediterranean. From the 15th to 18th centuries Barcelona had a period of decline, struggling to maintain its economic and political independence. This struggle ended in 1714 when the city fell to the Bourbon troops and rights and privileges where suppressed. Cultural recovery began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the textile industry. In the beginning of the 20th century there was a great urban renewal throughout the city culminating in its landmark Eixample District, which shows some of Barcelona’s most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau buildings. Antoni Gaudi one of the most eminent architects designed buildings such as the Casa Mila, the Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia church. The freedoms that were gained during this period were severely suppressed during the Civil War in 1936 and the following dictatorship. When the democracy was re-established in 1978 Barcelona regained its economic strength and the Catalan language was restored. The city hosted the Olympic Games in 1992 an event that gave new impulse to the city’s potential and reaffirmed its status as a big metropolis. Today the city is an important cultural center and a major tourist destination as well. There are many conventions and meetings that take place in Barcelona every year and according to ICCA’s archives the city holds the third place in annual meetings and conventions worldwide. One of the most important exhibitions, EIBTM is organized every year in Barcelona and it attracts many professionals all over the world. With many convention and exhibition centers and 300 hotels that can accommodate great numbers of visitors the city is thriving, although it has been affected by the recent economic downturn. It is a city that combines business and entertainment as well. The visitors who aren’t familiar with its history may be surprised that such a modern an enterprising city preserves its historic Gothic centre almost intact, or by the contrast between the labyrinth of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the Eixample, the urban planning project of the 19th century. The city and its metropolitan area offer a wide range of transportation where the visitors can get wherever they want easily and conveniently. Six metro lines and a modern tram system, more than 1000 fully adapted buses, more than 11000 taxis and options of renting a bike or a motorbike, the city is fully accessible for everyone. Sea tours are also available or you can ride a vintage tram for a complete and original tour of the city. 95% of the city centre is now adapted for people with disabilities as well. The visitor will need several days to get even a glimpse of the city but even in a short visit there are several attractions that none must miss. Casa Batllo, a masterpiece of Gaudi built between 1904 and 1906, the Poble Espanyol (Spanish village) that was built in 1929 for the Barcelona Int. Exhibition in order to show an insight into the wealth and diversity of the Spanish cultures. The city has many museums that are dedicated to history, art, technology, science and sports that are absolutely worth visiting. One of the most important is the Museus d’ Historia de Barcelona, which shows the evolution of the city and its inhabitants over 2000 years. The Barcelona Zoo, first opened in 1892 which reproduces the natural habitat of the animals that live there and is the home to 4000 animals from over 400 species. The Aquarium an important marine leisure and education center, already visited by more than 14 million people, is also worth a visit. The Mirador de Colom, the Colombus Monument stands at the end of La Rambla of Barcelona, near the sea. The visitor can enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top of the monument that was dedicated to Christopher Columbus. The Gran Teatre del Liceu, the magnificent opera house is also one of the key landmarks of the city than no one must miss.
In Barcelona the visitor doesn’t have to choose between shopping and sightseeing. And while he discovers incredible sights he is welcomed by window displays of international brands, modern designer shops and traditional shops as well. As for the nightlife, the city never sleeps and it’s the perfect place for lovers of jazz, rock, pop and Latin Rhythms.
Barcelona is a culinary paradise and has won an international profile because of its restaurants and famous chefs. The choice of dining options is so wide that the visitor will find it difficult to decide, but everyone must taste the Catalan cuisine.
Barcelona is a city of diversities and rich history and its Mediterranean climate makes it worth visiting all year round, either for business or pleasure.
Contact information
Barcelona Turisme
http://professional.barcelonaturisme.com