Barcelona's history: From Roman antiquity to today

The Gothic era and Modernisme have also left visible marks that are still present today. Fortunately, most remnants of the dark Franco dictatorship have been largely erased. Barcelona's history is also strongly influenced by its pursuit of independence and the preservation of a unique cultural identity.

The rich history of Barcelona, shaped by various cultural currents and political movements, is reflected in its architecture, traditions, and vibrant city life, making the city a unique example of the dialogue between past and modern urban life.

An Overview of Barcelona's History

Ancient and Roman Rule (2nd Century BC to 5th Century AD)

• 2nd century BC to 3rd century AD - The Romans and Barcino
  Roman rule. In the 1st century BC, under Emperor Augustus, the Colonia Iulia Augusta Paterna Faventia Barcino (modern-day Barcelona) was established.
  Excavations from Barcino can be seen today at the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat.
• 5th century - Visigothic Kingdom
  The Visigoths migrate. Barcelona becomes the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom.

Middle Ages (5th Century to 15th Century)

• 8th century - The Moors
  The Moors conquer Catalonia. However, their influence here is not as strong as in southern Spain.
• 801 - The time of the Franks
  Barcelona is occupied by the Franks. Emperor Charlemagne makes Barcelona the capital of the Spanish March, a buffer zone to protect the Frankish empire from Arab-occupied Spain.
• 988 - Catalonia's independence
  The County of Barcelona is declared autonomous by Borell II, marking its independence from the Frankish empire.
• 1324 - El Llibre de Sent Soví
  The first European cookbook, "El Llibre de Sent Soví," appears in Catalan. It remains a key reference for Spanish and European cuisines for many years, and many current recipes trace back to it.
• 1137 - Federation with Aragon
  By marrying Count Berenguer IV of Barcelona to Aragon's heir, Petronilla, the Catalan-Aragonese Federation is created, which later extends its power to Naples and Sardinia.
• 1213-1276 - Jaume I and the expansion
  During the reign of Jaume I, Barcelona experiences significant economic expansion. He reconquers the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Menorca, and Mallorca from the Moors.
• 1347 - Start of Cathedral construction
  Construction of the Cathedral begins, a process that would take over 400 years.

Renaissance and Baroque (15th Century to 18th Century)

• 1469-1492 - Decline of Barcelona
  The union of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile leads to the Reconquest of Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain. However, Barcelona's influence begins to wane.
• 1640-1659 - The Reapers' War (Guerra dels Segadors)
  This peasant revolt was sparked by the murder of the viceroy on Corpus Christi Day, June 7, 1640. It was caused by the burdens placed on Catalonia by Castilian King Philip IV, who required the Catalans to supply the Spanish army stationed there during the Franco-Spanish conflicts of the Thirty Years' War. The uprising lasted beyond the end of the war, and the anthem Dels Segadors, describing this rebellion, became the Catalan national anthem.
  At the start of the revolt, the Montjuïc Castle was built. On January 26, the Castilian besiegers were defeated in the Battle of Montjuïc.
  Following this, the Catalan General Assembly chose Louis XIII of France as Count of Barcelona and ruler of all Catalonia. However, in the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1652, France renounced all claims to Catalonia, though Roussillon became part of France, leading to Catalonia's ongoing division.
• 1701-1714 - War of Spanish Succession
  Catalans supported the Habsburgs during the Spanish War of Succession. On September 11, 1714, Barcelona capitulated, leading to the loss of Catalonia's self-governance and many privileges. This day is now commemorated as Catalonia's national day.

Napoleonic Wars and Industrialization (18th Century to mid-19th Century)

• 1808-1814 - Napoleon
  Much of the city is destroyed during Napoleon's invasion in the Spanish War of Independence.
• Mid-19th Century - Renaixença and rising national consciousness
  The Renaixença was a cultural and political movement in the 19th century that revived Catalan national consciousness and led to the renaissance of the Catalan language and culture. Barcelona became Spain's leading industrial city.

Modernisme and Early 20th Century (Late 19th Century to 1920s)

• 1878-1920 - Modernisme
  This period marked one of the most significant phases in Catalan art and architectural history. Many Modernisme landmarks from this time can still be seen in Barcelona today.
• 1888 - First World's Fair
  The first World's Fair in Barcelona was held on the site of the former Citadel.
• 1914 - Catalan Provincial Government
  A Catalan provincial government was proclaimed, but it was abolished by a military dictatorship in 1925.
• 1929 - Second World's Fair
  The second World's Fair in Barcelona opened on Montjuïc.

Spanish Civil War and Franco's Dictatorship (1930s to 1975)

• 1932 - Expanded autonomy
  Catalonia was granted autonomy, but the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) ended this autonomy.
• 1940 - Lluís Companys
  Lluís Companys, president of the Generalitat, was executed by Franco on October 15, 1940. Catalan culture and language were brutally repressed under Franco's regime.

Democratization and Reconstruction (1975 to 1992)

• 1975 - Franco's death
  After Franco's death, Catalan became an official language again.
• 1977 - 1.5 million demonstrate
  On September 11, 1977, 1.5 million people marched along Passeig de Gràcia, peacefully demanding autonomy for Catalonia.
• 1979 - Catalonia becomes an autonomous region
  Catalonia was officially declared an autonomous region of Spain.
• 1986 - Start of urban development
  Spain joins the EU. With the announcement of Barcelona as the host of the 1992 Olympic Games, major urban developments began.
• 1992 - Olympic Summer Games
  The XXV Olympic Games were held in Barcelona, giving the city a visible and positive boost in development.

2010s

• 2010 – Barcelona reaches a population of 1.6 million, and the city increasingly focuses on promoting tourism and international culture.
• 2010 – Superblocks
  The city government introduces new traffic calming measures such as "Superblocks" (Superilles) to reduce car traffic in residential areas and give more space to pedestrians and cyclists.
• 28.07.2010 - Ban on Bullfighting
  Bullfighting, the traditional Spanish spectacle, is banned in Catalonia, and the only bullfighting arena in Barcelona is closed. The Catalan parliament overwhelmingly voted to ban what many considered a cruel spectacle. Opponents of the ban saw it as a backlash against Spain's top court ruling that declared some autonomy rights invalid.
  On September 25, 2011, at the end of the season, the last bull was killed in a corrida in Catalonia.
• 07.11.2010 - Consecration of the Sagrada Família by the Pope
  Pope Benedict XVI consecrates the Sagrada Família. The church building is elevated to the status of a basilica.
  11.09.2012 - Independence Demonstration
  Approximately 1.5 million people demonstrate for the independence of Catalonia.
• 2012 – FC Barcelona under Pep Guardiola
  FC Barcelona celebrates its era of success under coach Pep Guardiola and shapes global football with the so-called Tiki-Taka playing style.
• 2013 – Regulation of Illegal Accommodations
  The city tightens measures against mass tourism and enacts regulations on holiday rentals and illegal accommodations.
• 17.08.2017 - Attack on the Ramblas Shakes Barcelona
  A terrorist drives a van through crowds on the Ramblas, killing 13 people and injuring over 120, some seriously. Another person was killed during the assailant's escape, and a 15th person died in a further attack in Cambrils.
  26.08.2017 - Mass Demonstration Against Terrorism
  Over 500,000 people demonstrate in Barcelona against terrorism. For the first time, the Spanish king participates in such a demonstration. Felipe walks behind firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and others who helped after the attack in the demonstration procession down Passeig de Gràcia to Plaça Catalunya.
• 2017 – Catalan Independence Referendum
  The referendum is held on October 1, despite being banned by the Spanish government. This leads to a severe political crisis in Spain. Many mass protests and large demonstrations in Barcelona mark this period in the city's history.

2020s

• 2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic
  The pandemic severely impacts Barcelona. Tourism completely collapses, and the city imposes strict measures, including curfews and lockdowns, to contain the spread of the virus.
• 2021 – Reopening of the Tourism Sector
  After more than a year of pandemic, Barcelona slowly begins to reopen its tourism sector and starts implementing measures to promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism strategy.
• 2021 – Re-election of Ada Colau as Mayor
  In her second term, she focuses more on issues like climate change, environmental protection, and social housing projects.
• 2022 – Sustainable Mobility
  Barcelona increases its efforts to promote sustainable mobility by adding more bike paths and creating more car-free zones in the city.
• 2023 – The city continues to be at the center of the Catalan independence movement, although the political situation has calmed. The issue of sustainable tourism also remains crucial for the future of Barcelona.

A Look at Catalan Identity

The Catalan national anthem "Els Segadors" is a powerful symbol of Catalan cultural identity and pride. With the translation of the original text into German, the meaning and historical roots of this melody are highlighted. Discover how music and lyrics combine to represent the history and values of Catalonia.

The Catalan Quest for Independence

The conflict between Catalonia and the centralist state, or the Spanish crown, has been ongoing since the Thirty Years' War. On September 11, 1714, even after the official peace treaties following the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) were signed, Barcelona lost its self-governance and many special rights. This was followed by periods of oppression and exploitation, peaking during the Franco dictatorship, where even the use of the Catalan language was banned in private settings.

The current independence movements are also economically motivated: many Catalans see it as unjust that the economically strongest region of Spain must make billions of euros in transfer payments to Madrid without receiving adequate returns. The Catalan budget is burdened by high debts. On September 11, 2012, around 1.5 million people peacefully demonstrated for independence.

The campaign for independence, which culminated on October 1, 2017, with a referendum declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court, was largely peaceful. Unfortunately, the image in the press is dominated by a few, yet very violent, police crackdowns and a small number of rioters from the demonstrators. After the referendum, a general strike and several demonstrations, some with more than a million participants, took place peacefully, both in favor of and against independence.