Spain
Barcelona
The Phoenicians and Carthaginians founded Barcelona, calling it Barcino. The Romans took over the region in the 1st century B.C. In the 5th century A.D., the Visigoths took over the city and changed the name to Barcinona. In the 8th century, the Moors occupied the city until the Spanish Reconquest began in this area. The region was divided into counties and expanded, it would later be known as Catalonia. In the 17th century Catalonia went to war with Spain, declaring independence. Spain lost this region, but Catalonia was conquered by Napoleon. When Napoleon fell, the lands were returned to Spain. Since then, Catalonia has been trying to achieve independence.
Barcelona Cathedral
The Cathedral was built on the foundation of a paleo-Christian basilica. Construction began on May 1, 1298. It was completed in the 15th century. Barcelona Cathedral |
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Las Ramblas
The Rambla was initially a small stream. In the 16th century convents and a university were built along the river. In the 19th century buildings were erected along the dried up river. Even though it is one continuous street, the Rambla actually consists of five 'ramblas'. That's why the street is also called Las Ramblas (Spanish) or Les Rambles (Catalan). |
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La Sagrada Familia
In 1866 the Spiritual Association of the devotees of St. Joseph was founded. They promoted the construction of an expiatory church. In 1881, the Association bought a plot of land for the site of the church from donations. The foundation stone was laid on March 19, 1882. The first architect was Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano, but we had some disagreements with the promoters, so he resigned and the commission was handed to Antoni Gaudi. When Gaudi started receiving large donations, he increased the scale of the church. On November 30, 1925 the construction of the first bell tower of the Nativity faade was finished. Gaudi died on June 10, 1926 and he was buried in the crypt of La Sagrada Familia. In July 1936, with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, revolutionaries set fire to the crypt. The original plans, drawings, and photographs were lost. In spite of these issues, the building of the church has always respected the architect's original design. After the Spanish Civil War ended, building began again. The estimated completion date is in 2026. |
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Parc de Montjuïc
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Park Guell
Eusebi Guell commissioned Gaudi to design many buildings. Their most famous collaboration was Park Guell. The housing development wasn’t successful because the park was far from town, and only 2 of the 60 houses were sold. One of the 2 was Gaudi’s house, Torre Rosa. It was here that Gaudi lived the last 20 years of his life. It now houses the Guadi Museum. Park Guell became municipal property in 1923. In 1984 Park Guell was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other Gaudi works. |
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Cordoba
Granada
Madrid
Palacio Real (Royal Palace)
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Cervantes Monument
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Puerta de Alacla
Plaza Mayor
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The Cibeles Fountain
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Origen de las Carreteras radiales
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Prado Museum