Barcelona’s Top 10 : Stages in Barcelona’s History

1. BC: The Founding of a City

   Barcino,
   as the city was first known, was founded in the 3rd century BC by
   Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca. It was taken by the Romans in 218 BC, but
   played second fiddle in the region to the provincial capital of
   Tarragona.

2. 4th–11th Centuries: Early Invasions

   As
   the Roman Empire began to fall apart in the 5th century, the Visigoths
   took over the city, followed by the Moors in the 8th century. Around AD
   800, Charlemagne conquered the area with the help of the Pyrenean
   counts.

3. 12th–16th Centuries: The Middle Ages

   During
   this period, Barcelona was the capital of a Catalan empire that
   included much of modern Spain and parts of the Mediterranean. The city’s
   fortune was built on commerce, but as neighbouring Castile expanded
   into the New World, trading patterns shifted and the Catalan dynasty
   faltered. Barcelona fell into decline and came under Castilian
   domination.

4. 1638–1652: Catalan Revolt

   In reaction to the oppressive policies set out in Madrid, now ruled by the Austrian Habsburgs, various local factions, known as Els Segadors, revolted. Fighting began in 1640 and dragged on until 1652, when the Catalans and their French allies were defeated.

5. 19th Century: Industry & Prosperity

   Booming
   industry and trade with the Americas brought activity to the city.
   Immigrants poured in from the countryside, laying the foundations of
   prosperity but also the seeds of unrest. The old city walls came down,
   broad Eixample avenues were laid out and workers crowded the old city
   neighbourhoods left behind by the middle classes.

6. 1888–1929: The Renaixença

   This new wealth, showcased in the International Exhibitions of 1888 and 1929, sparked a Catalan renaissance. Modernista
   mansions sprouted up, and the nationalist bourgeoisie sparked a revival
   of Catalan culture, particularly of literature, theatre and art.

7. 1909–1931: The Revolutionary Years

   But
   discontent brewed among workers, Catalan nationalists, communists,
   Spanish fascists, royalists, anarchists and republicans. In 1909,
   protests against the Moroccan war sparked a brutal riot, the Setmana Tràgica (Tragic Week). Lurching towards Civil War, Catalonia passed under a dictatorship before being declared a Republic in 1931.

8. 1936–1975 Civil War & Franco

   At
   the outbreak of war in 1936, Barcelona’s workers and militants managed
   to fend off Franco’s troops for a while. The city was taken by Fascist
   forces in 1939, prompting a wave of repression, particularly of the
   Catalan language which was banned in schools.

9. 1975–1980s Transition to Democracy

   Franco’s
   death in 1975 paved the way for democracy. The Catalan language was
   rehabilitated and, following the introduction of a new democratic
   constitution in Spain, Catalonia was granted regional autonomy. The
   first Catalan government was elected in 1980.

10. 1992–Present Day The Olympics & Beyond

    Barcelona
    was catapulted onto the world stage in 1992 with the highly successful
    Olympics. Today, the city remains socialist in politics and ready to
    perceive itself as both Spanish and Catalan.

    
    

    
    
    

    Olympic Games, 1992

Top 10 Historical Figures