Barcelona in northeast Spain is the country’s chief port and industrial centre, and its second largest city. It lies on a
plain backed by mountains, on the Mediterranean coast south of the Costa Brava. The oldest part of the city, near the
harbour, occupies the site of the Roman town of Barcino – from which Barcelona gets its name. Here are the cathedral and many fine buildings in the Spanish Gothic style. Spain’s entry into the European Community in 1986 greatly boosted the city’s trade and industries, which include the production of cars, heavy machinery, chemicals, and textiles. In 1992 the Olympic Games were held in the city.
The top of the Columbus monument on the waterfront commands a good view of the city. Near by is a copy of Columbus’s ship Santa Maria. From the monument the broad avenue of the Ramblas leads inland to the Plaza de Cataluna, Barcelona’s chief square. The Ramblas was once the bed of the mountain torrent (which is what rambla means). It is one of Europe’s most
famous streets, with double rows of trees and busy cafes, shops, and street stalls. From the Plaza runs the Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s smartest shopping street, at the far end of which is the apartment house called La Pedrera, designed by the Catalonian architect Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926). Other examples of his work are the Guell Palace (now a museum) near the Ramblas and the children’s play terrace in the Guell Park. Barcelona is famous for its period architecture.
At the northern end of the harbour is Barceloneta, the picturesque quarter of the sailors and fishermen. To the south of the harbour is Montjuich, a steep hill crowned by an old castle.
Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia – one of Spain’s 17 regions. The people speak Catalan which is quite different from the Spanish most of the country speaks. The city has a population of more than 3,500,000.