Barcelona was founded on the Mediterranean coast between two rivers more than two thousand years ago. It is located in the North East of the Iberian Peninsula, just a short distance from France. Romans, Arabs and Christians all influenced Barcelona throughout the centuries. Traces of this diverse history with contrasting cultures can be found all over the city. From the Gothic Quarter built on Roman ruins to its Art Noveau Eixample district dominated by Gaudí's exuberant architecture: Barcelona surely is a city of contrasts.

Barcelona - facts and figures
27 B.C. – 14 A.D.


The Roman colony Barcino is founded under the reign of emperor Augustus

late 3rd, early 4th century.
The city wall is built as a defense against the Franks and Alemanni

415
The Visigoths found the kingdom of Tolosa (Toulouse), from which Catalonia emerges

717
The Arabs conquer Barcelona (Barjelunah)

801
The Franks join Barcelona and the kingdom of Charlemagne

876
Guifré el Pilós (Wilfredo I., the Hairy) reigns the Frank county south of the Pyrenees

1131-1162
Federation of the counties Barcelona /Catalonia and Aragón under Ramón Berenguer IV. Barcelona ascends to an important trading power

1213-1276
1213-1276 Jaume I. conquers Valencia, Ibiza and Mallorca from the Moors. The expanding city builds new walls

1354
Catalonia’s legislative council (Corts Catalans) founds the Generalitat in order to control finances.

1410
Martí I., last king of Barcelona, dies without descendent. Catalonia is more and more patronized by Madrid who prefers investing in over-sea expeditions than in the stagnating trade of the Mediterranean Sea.

1462-1473
Catalonian civil war, economic decline.

1640
Rebellion of Els Segadors against Castilian.

1714
French and Spanish troops conquer Barcelona during the Spanish war of predecessors. Catalonia becomes Spanish province, the citadel a symbol of violence.

1813
Napoleon’s troops leave. The textile industry encourages economic and population growth.

1859
Cerdàs plan of Eixample, the extension of the city outside the walls is accepted.

1888
The world exhibition attracts more than two million visitors.

late 19th / early 20th century.
Improvement of Eixample with Modernist buildings.

1909
Setmana Tràgica (tragic week): Churches and convents burn

1914-1918
The neutral position of Spain during World War I stimulates Barcelona’s economy.

1929
World exhibition on Montjüic.

1931
Alfonso XIII. goes into exile. The republic is declared and Catalonia an autonomous region.

1936
Workers defeat a military revolt that is headed by the nationalistic General Franco. Dispute between Communists and Anarchists weakens Franco - resistance.

1939
Entering of the Franco-Nationalists. The suppression of Catalan culture and language as well as economic decline results. Spain remains neutral during World War II.

1977
Monarchy is reintroduced after Franco’s death in 1975. Juan Carlos I. allows the reconstitution of the Generalitat as a provisional, later regular government of the autonomous region of Catalonia.

1992
After a decade of improvements, the Olympic games provide Barcelona’s comeback as cosmopolite metropolis.

2003
Barcelona has become one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the world and attracts thousands of tourists every year.