Barcelona Spain: Historic Mediterranean City Of Architecture

Barcelona, Spain stretches over 2000 years to origins as Iberian village named Barkeno. Its easily defensible location on coastal plain between Collserola ridge 512 m and Mediterranean Sea, coastal route between central Europe and rest of Iberian Peninsula, has ensured continued importance. Currently city of 1,620,943 second largest in Spain capital of autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain’s major Mediterranean port and commercial centre famed for individuality cultural interest physical beauty.

Barkeno, Barcino, And Ninth Ship

Origin of earliest settlement unclear. Remains from Neolithic and early Chalcolithic periods found on coastal plain near city. Ruins of early settlement excavated in El Raval neighbourhood including different tombs and dwellings dating to earlier than 5000 BC. Later in 3rd and 2nd centuries BC area settled by Laietani Iberian people at Barkeno on Tàber hill in present-day Ciutat Vella Old City and at Laie or Laiesken believed located on Montjuïc. Both settlements struck coinage which survives. Some historians maintained small Greek colony Kallipolis founded vicinity around same period but conclusive archaeological evidence not found.

It is sometimes asserted area occupied circa 230 BC by Carthaginian troops under Hamilcar Barca but disputed. Alleged military occupation often cited as foundation of modern city although northern limit of Punic territories up to that time had been river Ebro over 150 km to south. No evidence Barcelona ever Carthaginian settlement or name Barcino had connection with Barcid family. At least two founding myths proposed: one credits Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca father of Hannibal with foundation around 230 BC giving name Barkenon despite similarities name origin Iberian Barkeno. Second attributes foundation to Hercules before foundation of Rome during fourth Labours joins Jason and Argonauts in search of Golden Fleece travelling Mediterranean nine ships one lost storm off Catalan coast Hercules finds wrecked by small hill crew saved taken beauty location found city Barca Nona Ninth Ship.

Roman Republic contested Carthaginian control eventually conquer whole Iberian Peninsula in Cantabrian Wars declared complete by Caesar Augustus in 19 BC. Northeast peninsula first region fall under Roman control served as base further conquests. While Barcelona settled by Romans under name Barcino it was considerably less important than major centres Tarraco capital Roman province Hispania Tarraconensis and Caesaraugusta known today as Tarragona and Zaragoza. Name Barcino formalised around end reign Caesar Augustus AD 14 shortened version official until then Colonia Faventia Julia Augusta Pia Barcino also Colonia Julia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino and Colonia Faventia as colonia established to distribute land among retired soldiers. Roman geographer Pomponius Mela refers Barcino as small settlements near Tarraco town wealthy in maritime resources however strategic position on branch of Via Augusta allowed commercial and economic development and enjoyed immunity from imperial taxation.

Walls, Wine, And Modernist Crown

At time Caesar Augustus Barcino had form of castrum with usual central forum and perpendicular main streets Cardus Maximus today Carrer de la Llibreteria and Decumanus Maximus today Carrer del Bisbe intersecting at top 25 m of Tàber hill Mons Taber site Iberian Barkeno. Perimeter walls were 1.5 km long enclosing 12 ha. By 2nd century city had form of oppidum and population 3500–5000. Main economic activity cultivation surrounding land wine exported widely. Archeological remains sculptures mosaics amphorae indicate relatively prosperous population although lacked major public buildings theatre amphitheatre circus found in more important Roman centres such as Tarraco. Forum’s most impressive building temple dedicated to Caesar Augustus probably constructed at start of 1st century quite large for city size measuring 35 m by 17.5 m built on podium surrounded by Corinthian columns.

First raids by Germanic tribes started around 250 and fortifications substantially improved later years 3rd century under Claudius II. New double wall at least two metres high up to eight metres some parts punctuated by seventy-eight towers measuring up to eighteen metres high. New fortifications were strongest in Roman province of Tarraconensis and would increase importance of Barcino compared to Tarraco. Significant vestiges of Roman Barcino can be seen in underground displays of Museum of the History of Barcelona MUHBA under Plaça del Rei which also maintains other heritage sites Roman Sepulchral way or Roman walls.

In 13th century Barcelona was no longer merely episcopal city and county capital of earlier centuries. Sustained economic dynamism had fed many decades of physical expansion and population growth and city was now home to increasingly complex society. Barcelona had also achieved political centrality because feudal lineage that lorded over city settled here in 10th century through creation of Corts Catalanes legislative council in 13th century and military commercial expansion around Mediterranean until demise Catalan institutions. In 1249 municipal system elite gained from king took greater powers to point awarding. In 1317 James II made Barcelona administrative capital of crown by setting up Royal Archive and Royal finance minister office in Palau Major. Then in 1359 Peter the Ceremonious sited main venue representing monarchy Saló del Tinell in city. Four decades between two Universal Exhibitions of 1888 and 1929 were formative in creation modern Barcelona architecture and art blossomed in work of Antoni Gaudi and many others at same time social unrest tore city apart. Unfinished masterpiece la Sagrada Familia under construction since 1882 central tower main basilica world’s tallest church completion commemorated 100th anniversary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Barcelona Located On Mediterranean?

Easily defensible location coastal plain between Collserola ridge 512 m and Mediterranean Sea coastal route between central Europe rest Iberian Peninsula Spain major Mediterranean port commercial centre 1620943 city second largest Spain capital autonomous community Catalonia wider urban region three-quarters Catalonia one-eighth Spain.

How Old Is Barcelona From Barkeno To Barcino?

History stretches over 2000 years origins Iberian village Barkeno. Neolithic early Chalcolithic El Raval tombs dwellings earlier than 5000 BC 3rd-2nd BC Laietani Barkeno Taber hill Ciutat Vella Old City Laie Montjuic both struck coinage possible Greek Kallipolis no conclusive evidence. Roman Barcino formalised AD 14 Colonia Faventia Julia Augusta Pia Barcino colonia retired soldiers castrum Cardus Maximus Carrer de la Llibreteria Decumanus Maximus Carrer del Bisbe 25 m Taber hill Mons Taber walls 1.5 km 12 ha population 3500-5000 2nd century oppidum wine exported temple 35 m by 17.5 m podium Corinthian columns.

Why Does Barcelona Have So Many UNESCO Sites?

Richness architecture reflected many UNESCO World Heritage Sites 60 parks including 200-hectare Montjuic Gaudi-designed Guell museums Miró Picasso Tàpies Barcelona FC Camp Nou archives libraries museums buildings superb Modernist Art Nouveau decor chosen architecture urbanism as conspicuous long-lasting crowning glory.

What Is The Story Of Gaudi And 1888-1929?

Four decades between two Universal Exhibitions 1888 and 1929 formative creation modern Barcelona architecture art blossomed Antoni Gaudi others social unrest. Sagrada Familia unfinished masterpiece under construction since 1882 tallest church central tower main basilica completion commemorated 100th whimsical architecture lively beaches.

How Did Barcelona Become Mediterranean Capital?

13th century no longer merely episcopal city county capital sustained economic dynamism decades physical expansion population growth increasingly complex society political centrality feudal lineage settled 10th century Corts Catalanes legislative council 13th century military commercial expansion Mediterranean until Catalan institutions demise. In 1317 James II administrative capital crown Royal Archive finance minister Palau Major 1359 Peter Ceremonious Saló del Tinell municipal system elite gained 1249 greater powers 1862 Andersen Paris of Spain.

Barcelona endures because it chose architecture as continuity. From Barkeno coinage on Tàber to Barcino 1.5 km walls to Modernist facades that earned UNESCO, each phase built not over but with previous city. Collserola and sea compress plain into stage where 60 parks, 200-hectare Montjuïc, Güell and Sagrada Familia since 1882 prove urbanism itself can be crowning glory.