Each year more than 9.000.000 tourists choose this sunny destination, welcome to Barcelona, the Catalan capital, the city where it feels good to live.
Let’s have an overview of the city, discovering the history of Barcelona through the most important dates, understanding also how the city developed its Catalan identity.
In this section, VespinGo will provides you with all the usefull information about the city, to ensure a great and also safe journey!
History
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia which is the first economic region of Spain, counting for 18% of the Spanish GDP and the quarter of the Spanish exportations.
Tourism obviously represents the most important part of the Catalan economy. With more than 13.100.000 tourists per year it constitutes the first holiday destination in the world!
Almost 70% of those tourists come to visit Barcelona, which is the ninth more attractive city in the world, right next to New York! All this brings 22.000.000€ per day to the Catalan capital.
Textile with luxury brands, chemistry, electronic and automobile industry are sectors which give importance and dynamism to Barcelona which hosts the three-quarters of the independent region’s industries.
Even if Catalonia suffers from the economic crisis, that strikes down all Europe, and shows an huge unemployment rate (22,5% in 2012) its condition is better than in any other parts of Spain (25%), the situation is better in Barcelona where the unemployment rate is the lowest (21,7%).
Artur Mas i GavarrĂł is the 129th President of Catalunya with a liberal ideology from the economic point of view. He is strongly pro-European, and always supporting Catalan Nationalism and the very coveted Catalan independence.
2006 The Autonomy
With the referendum of June 18th 2006, supplanting the Statue of Sau (1979), the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia provides Catalonia’s basic institutional regulations, defining the rights and obligations of the Catalan citizens, the political institutions of the Catalan nationality, their competences and relations with the rest of Spain.
1992 The Revolutionary Olympics Games
The Games of the XXV Olympiad, were celebrated in Barcelona in 1992 causing an enormous impact on the urbanism and external projection of the city.
The construction of the Port Olimpic in the decayed neighbourhood of Poblenou and the Olympic Village opened Barcelona to the sea. Various new centres and modern sports facilities were built in the Olympic zones of MontjuĂŻc and Diagonal. The construction of ring roads around the city “Las rondas” helped reduce the density of the traffic in the city. The city airport “El Prat” was modernized and expanded.
New hotels were built and many other refurbished.
The Olympic Games enabled 11.4 billion in infrastructure investments, which improved the quality of life and attraction of the city for investments and tourism.
Barcelona after Paris, London and Rome in now the 4th most visited city in Europe.
1939 – 1975 The Franco Era
The dictatorship of Franco caused the darkest period of the Catalan history.
He based his government on the spanish nationalism and for this reason, against the autonomies.
“The State shall regain the powers of legislation and enforcement that correspond to it in the common-law territories and the services that were transferred to the region of Catalonia”.
The “Generalitat” (Catalan government) is dissolved and his president LluĂs Companys, who was captured by the Gestapo in France, is brought back in Spain where he has been tortured and finally shot at the Montjuic Castle.
The Catalan language is forbidden, as all manifestation or demand of autonomy.
200.000 Catalan people choose to leave, and in the meantime a dictature opposition movement is organised.
The 20th of November 1975 Franco died in Madrid. Contrary to what his opponents were hoping, a disease killed him and not some actions leaded against him.
1931 First Catalan Republic
The dictatorship of Franco caused the darkest period of the Catalan history.
He based his government on the spanish nationalism and for this reason, against the autonomies.
“The State shall regain the powers of legislation and enforcement that correspond to it in the common-law territories and the services that were transferred to the region of Catalonia”.
The “Generalitat” (Catalan government) is dissolved and his president LluĂs Companys, who was captured by the Gestapo in France, is brought back in Spain where he has been tortured and finally shot at the Montjuic Castle.
The Catalan language is forbidden, as all manifestation or demand of autonomy.
200.000 Catalan people choose to leave, and in the meantime a dictature opposition movement is organised.
The 20th of November 1975 Franco died in Madrid. Contrary to what his opponents were hoping, a disease killed him and not some actions leaded against him.
1888 The Universal Exhibition
The Barcelona Universal Exhibition in 1888 is the peak of the catalan society’s evolution. Furthermore, the aim of this exhibition was to show the good relationship between the restored monarchy and the bourgeoisie.
In this time, organizing a universal exhibition was the way to show the country’s technological progress and industrial potential, as well as a great opportunity of economic development for the hosting city.
The project was launched in 1887 but the Barcelona Universal Exhibition only opened its doors in April of 1888. The exhibition stood from Arc de Triomf, built as an entrance door of the event, to Barceloneta, including the Ciutadella Parc and Plaça Espanya.
In addition to this architectural show, there were various events, concerts and opera.
The Universal Exhibition was a great investment for Barcelona: more than 12.000 exhibitors, 2.240.000 visitors and an economic gain of 5.624.657 “Pesetas” (around 33.803€)
1778 Spanish industrial revolution
Catalunya was allowed to trade with America, which stimulated the Barcelona economy. The region’s fortune turned around, particularly thanks to the development of cotton, cork and other wine and iron industries.
1753
With the beginning of a little growth, the district of La Barceloneta was created.
1701- 1715 War of the Spanish Succession
Catalonia supported Charles of Austria. Wrong choice, he lost. Felipe V is named king of Spain and he abolished all administrative structures of Catalonia, forbid the Catalan language and built a fort, the Ciutadella, to look after the city of Barcelona.
1640- 1652 “Segadors” (harvesters) Revolt
Catalonia declares its independence, which ends with the Barcelona siege.
230: BC Amilcar Barca
A camp was built on Montjuic Hill, from Amilcar Barca who gave his name to the city.
Maybe with the help of Hercule (yes, according to the mythology he founded the city!) the Romans have built a pretty huge city.
How could we know? Just have a look at the remains of the walls and columns of the current Gothic district and you will see it.
Useful information
Working hours
Don’t be surprised if everything seems calm between 2pm and 4pm, it is quite normal, the main shops are closed in Catalonia!
Business hours are: 9am – 2pm and 4pm – 8pm
Important commercial centers, post offices, banks and tourist attractions have different schedules.
Safety
Barcelona is not a dangerous city but like in every city of the world, you still have to be careful. Don’t show valuable objects and don’t leave personal items unattended. Take special precautions at night and in the touristic areas such as La Rambla.
Telephones numbers for cancelling stolen credit cards
- Visa/Mastercard: 900 971 231 / 900 991 216
- American Express: 902 375 637
Electrical power
Barcelona electrical power: 220V 50Hz (European standard).
For European countries which use a 240V, it works fine.
Smoking
In the framework of the Catalan Government’s measures and as well as in most of the European countries, you are not allowed to smoke in public areas such as restaurants, bars, shops, supermarkets…
Newspapers
The most important newspapers in Barcelona are A Vui (in Catalan), El PaĂs, La Vanguardia and El Periodico (in Spanish).
The price is 1€.
You will also be able to find a good choice of international newspapers.
Useful Numbers
Medical Emergency
- Emergencies: 0034 112
- Pharmacies on duty: 0034 010
- Emergency Medecine: 0034 061
- Health Consulting: 0034 902 111 444
- Medical Services: 0034 934 140 643
Useful Numbers
- Barcelona police: 0034 092
- National police: 0034 091
- Firemen: 0034 080
- RENFE: 0034 902 240 202
- Post Office: 0034 902 197 197
- City Council: 934 027 000
- Lost & Found office: 0034 010
- Public Transport: 0034 010
- Airport: 0034 902 404 704
- Aerobus: 0034 902 100 104
- Catalan information: 0034 012
- Barcelona information: 0034 010