As a tour guide, I’m passionate about history: I consider it’s the base to understand not just our past, but also our present and to foresee our future or where we are going to. We occasionally write about history topics in this posts, and if you are a history fan like I am, you’ll want to review them before coming to Barcelona. Because learning in advance about Spanish and Catalan history will help you get a more meaningful experience once you are in town, since you’ll understand in a deeper way the sites and area you’ll be visiting. You’ll find all of them in this tag.
A BRIEF GUIDE OF BARCELONA MODERNISM In the 1800’s a new art style blooms all over Europe. It’s called Art Nouveau in France, Liberty in Italy, Arts & Crafts in England, Jugendstil in Germany. In Spain, it’s Modernism – Modernisme in Catalan, Modernismo in Spanish. And why the Catalan translation is relevant? Because this art …
THE COUNT GUELL AND ANTONI GAUDI Eusebio Guell y Bacigalupi, known as the Count Guell, was the second richest person in Spain in the early 1900’s. He was a Renaissance man interested in art, science and business. Never afraid of sticking to his choices even if they went against the social thinking. The became the …
WHAT’S LEFT FROM THE ROMAN IN BARCELONA? 2000 years ago, the Romans arrived to our land and founded what was going to become the city of Barcelona. They interacted with the local Iberian tribes, but those were nomad and hadn’t created a city of their own. Or at least it hasn’t been found yet. The …
The Catalonia castles you need to see Barcelona is the capital of the region of Catalonia. Our history dates back from the Roman times 2000 year ago and older. But it started defining its identity specially during the middle ages. In those times, Christians fought to push back the attacks of the moors, of Muslim …
FASCINATING SPAIN HISTORY PERSONALITIES AND MOMENTS The Spanish history is full of events and characters that people see under a special aura. People and occurrences that have remained in our minds and that continue to fascinate us. In this times of confinement, learning about them is a nice distraction from the current situation. And for …
WHAT DOES THE NATIONAL DAY OF CATALONIA CELEBRATE? Today is September 11, a day that for Catalans means something very different from what it mean for the rest of the world. Today we celebrate La Diada, the National Day of Catalonia. And while most nations have picked a victory day for their own National Day, we …
5 CRUCIAL POINTS TO UNDERSTAND FLAMENCO DANCE HISTORY Flamenco is a typical style of music and dance of Spain, specially from the regions of Andalucía, Extremadura and Murcia. Some theories calculate it dates from the 1700’s, and it is believed that the Flamenco culture was born out of the constant interaction between natives, Gypsies, Muslims, …
BOOKS ON THE HISTORY OF SPAIN: READ BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO TAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT! Next Sunday is April 23rd, Saint George’s Day and International Day of Books. If you are planning a trip to Spain, what a better way to prepare than reading a few Spanish history books? You’ll be able to understand …
Top Catalan And Spanish History Books For Travelers Read More »
COOL PICASSO INTERESTING FACTS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT One of the most important museums in Barcelona is the Picasso Museum. And you might be wandering why do we have a Picasso museum if the artist was born in Malaga and lived most of his life in France? Well, he actually spent his youth and training years …
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ANTONI GAUDI TO UNDERSTAND HIS WORKS The biography of Antoni Gaudi is full of interesting stories, bright moments and inspirational creations. If he hadn’t been working in Barcelona, the city wouldn’t be what it’s now. His architecture, way beyond his time, attracts people from all over the world and make the city a …
