Guides
Barcelona-A Quick Guide to One of Europe's Best Cities
Barcelona is the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia in north-eastern Spain. The city rests on the Mediterranean coast and it boasts a population of 1,593,075 inhabitants. It is thought that Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, the Carthaginian politician and statesman, originally founded the city. Since than, the city has been under the control of the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors and the Napoleonic French Empire. Following the fall of Napoleon, the city was returned to Spanish rule. At the start of the 20th century, Catalan nationalists began the struggle for autonomous rule, which was finally granted in 1978 following the death of Franco.
This rich history is apparent in many of Barcelona?s streets. Visitors can wander the charming, winding streets of Barri Gotic ? the well-kept medieval city centre. The city also boasts a beautiful Gothic Quarter, home to impressive buildings such as the Church of Santa Maria del Pi and the Cathedral of Santa Eul?lia. For those interested in more modern architecture, the city is dotted with the beautiful work of the late Barcelona resident, Antoni Gaud?. Some examples of his stunning work include, the Palau G?ell mansion and the Parc G?ell, both of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Barcelona is a bustling, modern metropolis in which visitors are guaranteed a glimpse of lively city life if they wander down the busy tree lined walkway known as La Rambla. For those looking for a more relaxing look at life in Barcelona, a trip to the G?rcia area offers numerous cafes to quietly watch the world go by. Barcelona also boasts beautiful beaches and boardwalks, where visitors and locals can enjoy the sunshine. The city is home a famous zoo, which holds an impressive conservation record.
Dara Ward operates over 150 world travel sites including Hotels in Barcelona He also runs Hotels in Budapest and lives in Wexford Ireland. |
Dara Ward
Similar articles
A World Cup Guide to Berlin
Out of the twelve German cities to play hosts to the FIFA 2006 World Cup Finals it is Berlin - Germany's capital - that has arguably the most important role to play. Read more →Athens Hotel Guide
Athens is a city which arguably has one of the richest histories in the world. It was the home and center of the world empire of Greece, and is still the capital of the country today. Read more →Books On Legs? Tour Guides Are More Than That: One Expert Tells Her Story
When it comes to name dropping, Martha Lanzillotti can keep up with the best of them. That?s because the New York City licensed tour guide was an actress in her first career, and true stories about her early experiences dovetail nicely with what a tourist wants to hear when visiting America? Read more →Cheap Paris Hotels - a Quick Guide to Paris Hotel Reservations
Finding a good hotel for a great price in a big city like Paris, France isn?t quite as hard as finding a needle in a haystack, but it?s not so easy! If you? Read more →Aphorism
The personal appropriation of clichs is a condition for the spread of cultural tourism.