Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of the Catalonia region. The history of the city dates back at least 2000 years to when it was a Roman settlement named Barcino. Barcelona’s coastal location made it an important centre for trade throughout the middle ages and today it remains one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports.

Despite becoming part of Spain in the 15th century, the Catalan culture is still very evident all over town in the language and cuisine and residents are fiercely proud of their history and identity. Barcelona suffered throughout the 20th century due to the devastation of the Spanish Civil War and the period of rapid urbanisation that followed, but the role of host city of the 1992 Olympic Games saw the town revitalized and earned it recognition on a global scale. A growing business district has also helped to put the town on the map as an economic centre.

Barcelona successfully combines one of the greatest concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe with more modern flourishes, and it is the mix of old and new which attracts both tourists and home hunters. Indeed there is a strong focus on contemporary art and design which gives the city a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere while still preserving ancient traditions.