General information
Religion
Rules, Behavior and Habits
Myths and legends
Language
Food
Music
Festivals
Art
Clothes
Products
Sport
Nature and landmarks
Architecture and popular places
Barcelona is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain.
Map Barcelona has become one of the first tourist destination of Spain, it has everything to please the majority of visitors : with a history among the oldest in Europe, a capital, Barcelona, which never sleeps and an inland full of charm not to forget beautiful beaches in La Costa Brava. The variety of artistic treasures, the Romanesque churches and the great names in modern art and architecture , Dali, Gaudi, Miro, Picasso ...
Barcelona, a city of religious diversity The religious and confessional diversity of the city continues to grow year after year and this also translates into an increase in the number of centers of worship. The most widely practiced religion in Barcelona is Catholic Christianity but secularization is strong, in line with the Spanish and other Western European trends. After Christianity, Islam is the second-largest religion. The city also has the largest Jewish community in Spain, with an estimated 3,500 Jewish residents.
Rules and behaviors 1-Car Horns car horn infrequent use is aimed at thoughtless and selfish motorists. Regard this as a much more favorable form of road rage.
2-Crossing the Road The Spanish wait until the green pedestrian light indicates it is safe to cross the road. When the green light flashes, you have only a few seconds in which to reach safety and this is the signal for the motorcycles to move.
3-Respect for the Language Barcelonans usually have an excellent command of English, will understand English, but will not use it when talking to visitors. Their view is that when they are in England, they are required to speak English - the reverse should apply when the English are in Spain.
4-Queuing Queue-jumping for purchases is treated with great indignation. they respect the queue and people have to wait for their turns.
5-Self-service shopping Apart from in supermarkets and large department stores, self-service in Spain is not normal. Please ask before opening, for example, the ice cream or cold drink cabinet. Failure to do so is regarded as rude at best and attempted theft at worst.
6-Shopping Hours During the working week, expect most shops and businesses to shut down between 13.30 and 17.00. Many close on Saturday afternoon. All businesses are shut on Sundays.
Habits 1-Timing Spaniards have never been very punctual. This national trait is not a secret to anyone and so it is a typical reason for numerous jokes. Residents of Barcelona are accustomed to having a very late lunch, so local cafes start filling with visitors only afternoon. Dinners are also fairly late, so many restaurants are open until midnight.
2-Personality Indigenous people of Barcelona are very gallant and very serious. They are open to communication and have a wonderful sense of humour. The locals are very friendly to visitors and will gladly help them in the most difficult situations. Many travellers, who visit Spain for the first time, are scared of the way of communication, which is peculiar to the Spaniards. The usual arguing between two good friends can be taken as a quarrel - the local residents are very emotional and impulsive. Such "noisiness", which is common among citizens, is hard to associate with kindness and openness in the communication of these people
3-Walking The Barcelona leisure and shopping 'walk' is slow, usually involving animated conversations between two or more people. They are unlikely to be aware of anyone, and pedestrian collisions are frequent.
Anjanas
Originating from Cantabrian mythology, Anjanas are goodintentioned fairies that dwell in nature. Just six inches tall, these delicate fairies are claimed to help injured or lost animals and people in the forest and heal damaged plants. They are said to reward the good and punish the wicked, and often even leave gifts at the doors of kind people in the village.
San Jorge and the Dragon Legend states that a dragon dwelled in Montblanc and terrorized the nearby villagers. In desperation, the villagers sacrificed someone to the dragon each day. Unfortunately, one day the princess’s name was drawn. Despite the protests of many villagers, the princess headed to the dragon’s lair to accept her fate. Miraculously, a knight in shining armor saved the princess at the last minute by slaying the dragon. A red rose sprouted from the wound of the dragon, which the knight presented to the princess. The knight then revealed himself as San Jorge. This story is commemorated with grand celebrations on April 23rd every year in Spain, particularly Barcelona. In line with tradition, men often present roses to the women they love.
Duendes
Duendes, on the other hand, are gnome-like tricksters. These small mischievous creatures often play pranks on or thieve from unsuspecting people. Their name originates from the phrase “dueño de casa” or “possessor of a house,” because they were initially depicted as a malicious spirit inhabiting a home.
El Coco Many Spanish parents spook their children by cautioning them about El Coco, a monster who snatches children away if they misbehave or refuse to sleep. Its origins come from a man named Francisco Ortega (El Moruno) who was sick with tuberculosis in the early 20th century. He solicited help from a Curandera, who recommended he drink the blood of children. Ortega subsequently kidnapped a child named Bernardo in a cloth bag. Today, El Coco is said to still roam the streets with a black cloth bag, seeking disobedient children. Parents warn their children of El Coco using the popular rhyme, “Duermete niño, duermete ya, que viene El Coco y te comerá.” (“Sleep child, sleep now, or else the Coco will come and eat you.”)
The Ghost of the Canaletas Fountain The Canaletas Fountain is best known as the place where Barça fans celebrate the team’s victories. There’s been a fountain here since the sixteenth century, and the current one was inaugurated in 1860. The best-known legend about the Canaletas fountain says that anyone who drinks its water will fall in love with Barcelona and will always return no matter how far they travel. The other, more sinister legend says that during the nineteenth century, a ghost dressed in a black cape used to walk up and down this stretch of the Ramblas. One day the ghost stopped at the fountain to speak to a group of young women who were collecting water. The women were so frightened by the spirit that they refused to leave their homes for several days. Eventually, a group of neighbours banded together to guard the fountain, but the ghost never returned and hasn’t been seen since.
The Gargoyles of Barcelona Cathedral Gargoyles are found on the roofs of medieval churches and cathedrals. Commonly carved into the form of dragons, gryphons or other mythical creatures, they are hollow stone tubes that channel rainwater from the building’s roof and prevent it from eroding the masonry. Legend has it that in the Middle Ages, during the annual Corpus Christi celebration, groups of witches used to gather in the streets surrounding Barcelona Cathedral where they shouted and spat at the processions. This went on for several years until one day, by divine intervention, the witches were turned to stone and placed on the cathedral’s rooftops, where they continue to spit on passers-by every time it rains.
The 13 Geese of Barcelona Cathedral Perhaps the most beautiful part of Barcelona Cathedral is the fourteenth-century cloister which includes several chapels and a patio with a small pond. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Eulalia, and the cloisters are home to thirteen white geese. Legend has it that when Eulalia was captured, she was tending a flock of geese in Sarria, now a neighbourhood of Barcelona.
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan and polyglot city where over 300 languages are spoken in its streets, resulting from the vibrant international community established here.
There are two official languages in the city:
Catalan
Spanish The overwhelming majority of Barcelona residents speak both Catalan and Spanish , but Catalan is the main language in Barcelona , as they consider it an indispensable part of Catalan culture and also cherish it and express their identity . The approved and main language used in schools and universities is the Catalan , and also Spanish and another foreign language usually English are taught . Where the Catalan language is used as an institutional language used in administrative affairs and local institutions .
Bombas . During the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona was fraught with danger. Anarchists and revolutionaries roamed the then slummy streets of Barceloneta , hurling handmade grenades in their fight against General Franco’s Fascists. These tiny grenades turned out to be extremely effective, and inspired a local chef to create what is now one of Barcelona’s most iconic tapas dishes, “la bomba” (or the bomb). It’s basically a tennis ballsized potato croquette served with two different sauces: a white garlic allioli that represents the string fuse that the anarchists would light before launching their grenades, and a rich and spicy red sauce that represents the bombs’ explosive qualities.
Canelones
cannelloni is considered a typical Barcelona dish. It tends to have stewed meat inside the tubes rather than the Italian minced meat. That is why it is traditional to eat them on December 26th using the leftovers from Christmas dinner. The cannelloni is always also topped with a béchamel sauce (very little, if any, tomato sauce is used).
Esqueixada de bacallà
The main ingredient in this dish is cod (bacallà), a widely eaten fish here in Catalonia. In this case, the salted cod has been shredded to get the proper consistency. Add to it some chopped tomatoes, red peppers and onions plus black olives and a healthy drop of olive oil and, voilà, you have an amazing summer dish. A very refreshing gluten-free dish for those hot summer days in Barcelona.
The music of Catalonia comprises one of the oldest documented musical traditions in Europe. In tandem with the rest of Western Europe, it has a long musical tradition, incorporating a number of different styles and genres over the past two thousand years.thats where Popular music in catalonia is sardanes , ball de Bastogne , ball de gitanes and finally Catalan rumba, where Catalan Rumba is part of the Catalan cultural
Catalan Rumba Catalan Rumba, also known as Gypsy Rumba, is not flamenco, pop or rock music. It is a way of living, sensing and expressing feelings. This kind of music, born in the heart of Barcelona during the Sixties, is without a doubt as much part of Catalan identity as the typical folk dance Sardana or Castellers, the traditional human towers.
sardanes
Castellers
The Sixties were the golden age for Catalan Rumba, a time when artists were treated as jetset and used to wear fancy suits .
Catalan Rumba emerged from the coming together of many different historical and musical elements. From AfroCuban sounds to popular Mediterranean music.
PRIMAVERA SOUND
Primavera Sound is a music festival that takes place between the end of May and beginning of June in Barcelona, Spain.It’s the kick-off for the hip Barcelona festivals season. It takes place at the Fòrum and Parc de la Ciutadella areas, where the hordes of hipsters and indie music lovers consummate their annual party pilgrimage to Barcelona. Countless hours of good music and good vibes.
LA PATUM The Patum de Berga or simply La Patum, is a popular and traditional festival that is celebrated each year in the Catalan city of (Barcelona) during Corpus Christi. It consists of a series of "dances" (in Catalan, balls) by townspeople dressed as mystical and symbolical figures, and accompanied either by the rhythm of a drum—the tabal, whose sound gives the festival its name—or band music. The balls are marked by their solemnity and their ample use of fire and pyrotechnics.
LA MERCÈ The best festivals in Barcelona is celebrated in the honor of the patron saint of the city, Our Lady of Mercy. Crowds of giant figures, Catalan human tower contests, flea markets, and for the brave: correfocs, people dressed in Devil disguises, running with fireworks attached to their costumes. There’s plenty of live music and entertainment all around town. Around September 24th.
Festa Major de Gracia The most famous of Barcelona’s district festivals , is undoubtedly the Festa Major de Gracia. For just over a week in August the area’s streets are adorned with wonderful papier mache statues, woodwork ornaments and decorative lanterns attracting international visitors as well as locals.every square becomes a concert venue as the fiesta gets under full swing. Needless to say drinking is rife as bars and cafes heave with thirsty festival goers and many more swig al fresco from Don Simon cartons of sangria. A great carnival vibe.
Public art in Barcelona is a designated group of monuments and outdoor sculptures in the city.
Sculptures The Face of Barcelona, Roy Lichtenstein Constructed in his unmistakable comic book-like aesthetic, Roy Lichtenstein’s gigantic Pop Art face was designed specifically for this city. Most evidentially, The Face of Barcelona symbolizes the colossal changes that the city underwent preparing for the 1922 Olympics. The sculpture is covered in mosaic as a homage to Catalan art nouveau.this provocative female grimace inevitably catches an eye of all the passers-by, and has become one of the most widely visited tourist attractions
The Woman and the Bird As is the case with all of Joan Miró‘s works, The Woman and the Bird is symbolic and provocative. The statue represents the union of masculine and feminine, a duet between life and death. Joan Artigas helped Miró cover his concrete sculpture in brightly coloured broken mosaic pieces, a technique often used in Gaudí’s work.
painting
Science and charity
Person with fruit bowl this painting is from Cubist period, and you can find in it all the characteristics that define this style: geometry, a subject shown from different points of view, and a realistic “clue” to help the public identifying what the painting is about
the very best painting from his youth period in the Picasso Museum of Barcelona. he created this huge painting representing a doctor taking care of a poor and sick lady. There are so many stories behind this painting, but one of the most fun is the fact that the bed looks shorter or longer depending on room from which side of the painting you were looking at it. It’s an unexpected optical effect resulting from the fact that the studio where Picasso painted it was too narrow and he couldn’t get the right perspective
Today, Barcelona fashion is very modern, but traditional Barcelona clothing is still worn for special events. Flamenco performers still wear typical Spanish dresses in red, black, or white with their hair in a bun and sometimes a rose behind their ear.
The mantilla The mantilla is a traditional Spanish veil piece that is often worn during religious celebrations such as Spanish weddings. It is a light lace or silk scarf that is worn over the head or shoulders on a high comb and held in place by pins.
The peineta The peineta is a large decorative comb placed in the hair to hold up the mantilla. It is usually tortoiseshell colored with a curved body and long prongs to increase the height. The peineta, used on special occasions, originated centuries ago making it a traditional piece of Spanish clothing.
The Gilet It is a sleeveless jacket, much like a waistcoat or vest that forms an important part of traditional Spanish clothing.
The history of fashion in Barcelona begins in the early 20th century with the rise of the textile industry and spans through today with its current concentration on fast fashion. With various popular fashion districts and a handful of notable fashion events each year, Barcelona has proved itself as a major city for fashion
Modern fashion
Brands Bimba & Lola brand present in one of the shops of Bulevard Rosa, is known for its jewelry and leather goods.
Desigual an institution in Barcelona and one of the ultimate Barcelona shopping brands. In business since 1984, it is well known for its signature multi-coloured patchwork designs that you either love or hate.
Barcelona has a long sporting tradition and hosted the highly successful 1992 Summer Olympics as well as several matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup (on the two stadiums).
Football teams FC Barcelona (Catalan: Futbol Club Barcelona), often known by its acronym Barcelona (Catalan: Barcelona) or as its fans call it Parsa (Catalan: Barça) is a professional Spanish sports club, from Barcelona,playing in La Liga,one of three clubs that have not fallen to the second division, along with Atlético Bilbao and its traditional rival Real Madrid.
Espanyol (In Spanish: Real Club Deportivo Espanyol)is a football club from Barcelona, Spain,currently playing in the Second Division after landing the 2019-2020 season.It was founded on October 28, 1900. It was founded by Angel Rodríguez,a student at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Barcelona.
Bullfighting Bullfighting is a physical contest that involves a bullfighter and animals attempting to subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull, usually according to a set of rules, guidelines, or cultural expectations. There are several variations, including some forms which involve dancing around or leaping over a cow or bull or attempting to grasp an object tied to the animal's horns. The most well-known form of bullfighting is Spanish-style bullfighting, practiced in Spain
Barcelona would not be Barcelona without its Mediterranean nature: bathed by four kilometres of beaches and flanked by the parks of Montjuïc and the Collserola, an immense green massif with incredible biodiversity, the city offers infinite and irresistible possibilities for experiencing it in the open air.
Barcelona has nature on offer all year round. Particularly in the summer, but also for a good part of the spring and autumn, the city's characteristic deep blue skies invite us to bathe in the sun and the sea. There are various beaches to choose from: some are calmer, for families and away from the centre, while others are more crowded and livelier, close to restaurants and party locales. There are also areas for naturists and beaches where you can play volleyball or chuck a Frisbee around.
Parks to lose yourself in Laberint d’Horta These are the oldest public gardens in the city, created in the 18th century, and they are a perfect mix between a Neoclassical and a Romantic garden. They get their name from the maze with walls of cypress trees, but there are also fountains, a waterfall with a little stream and mythological sculptures.
Jardins de Laribal The Jardins de Laribal, which date from the beginning of the 20th century, climb up the Montjuïc mountain as terraces, paths and little squares, pergolas and ponds. The park's waterfalls flow into the historical and popular Font del Gat and this is a good vantage point from which to view the city.
Natural viewpoints Mirador de l’Alcalde Is a light and calm garden which opens like a balcony over the city and the port. It is built on four different levels that rise smoothly up the slope by means of staircases and little ceramic-tiled squares, and also has a pond with a waterfall.
Carretera de les Aigües Is a continuous viewpoint, running across the Collserola range from end to end on the seaward facing slope, and it offers wide panoramic views of the city. At one end is the Mirador dels Xiprers viewpoint, with vistas across the Barcelona plain and the Llobregat river delta.
Jardins del Turó del Putget From the top of the Turó del Putget hill you get another 360º panorama of the city: you can see as far as the Llobregat plain, and even watch the planes taking off and landing at El Prat Airport. The gardens are full of paths and squares, with picnic tables and areas for playing boules.
Don’t forget to visit Jardí Botànic The botanical garden is a leader in the conservation of Mediterranean flora. The plant collections are exceptional. Shaped like a huge amphitheatre with steep slopes and more than 1500 species of plant on show, it also offers magnificent views of the coast in the background
Museu Blau The main exhibition at the Museu Blau natural history museum, "Planeta Vida" (Living Planet), takes you on a journey through the history of life on Earth. You can see real gems from the collections that were housed in the Museu de Ciències Naturals for over 200 years.
Barcelona Zoo Inaugurated in 1892, Barcelona Zoo is dedicated to research on and conservation of wild fauna. It is inhabited by 400 species, and there is also a farm with domestic animals. This is where an icon of the city, Floquet de Neu (Snowflake), the only white gorilla known until now, lived and died.
Beautiful nature
Monestir de Pedralbes A cobbled lane leads up to the sublime Monestir de Pedralbes, established in 1326 by Queen Elisenda, as a convent for blueblooded nuns. The complex, one of the finest examples of Catalan Gothic design, is now a museum; the small community of Poor Clare nuns has moved to an adjoining building. The convent is set around a serene three-story cloister dotted with trees and fountains and filled with the sound of birdsong. The former refectory, prayer cells and other rooms are now filled with objects outlining the history of the convent. Among them is the pale marble tomb of Queen Elisenda located in the convent’s beautiful single-nave church.
Where: Baixada del Monestir 9 Nearest station: Reina Elisenda
Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona’s opera house has been the location of real life events as dramatic as the scenes that have been acted out on its stage over the years. Built in the late 19th century, the Gran Teatre has a tumultuous history, including two fires, the second one ravaging the building in 1994. The Liceu was rebuilt, even larger than before, with heavy lashings of marble, gilt and plush red velvet added. Tickets for shows are in the upper price range, but you can opt for a tour of the building to get a taste of its grandeur and significance.
Where: La Rambla 51-59 Nearest station: Liceu
Casa Batlló and Casa Amatller One street of the Eixample contains two magnificent mansions from the Modernista period: Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló. Casa Amatller and its stepped rooftop studded with candy-like ceramic work was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch for the chocolate baron Antoni Amatller at the turn of the 20th century. Puig i Cadafalch transformed the formerly unremarkable mansion into a fairy-tale castle set around a Gothic courtyard. Look closely at the pseudo-medieval creatures on the facade: perhaps you’ll spot the camera-wielding rat, or the monkey grinding cocoa beans.
Where: Passeig de Gràcia 41-43 Nearest station: Passeig de Gràcia
Park Güell Inspired by 19th century English ‘garden cities’, an expansive piece of land in the Collserola foothills was chosen as the site of Park Güell, and architect Antoni Gaudí was invited to construct the communal spaces. A pair of his fairy-tale pavilions flanks the main entrance. A flight of brightly tiled stairs sweeps up past the emblematic salamander statue to the Hypostyle Hall filled with almost a hundred shimmering columns. The main square, with its long, undulating bench richly covered in yet more trencadís tiles, offers spectacular views of the entire city and the sea.
Where: Carrer d’Olot s/n Nearest station: Vallcarca
Buildings at Plaça Sant Just The tiny Plaça Sant Just is a charming square nestled in a maze of streets and distinguished buildings in the Gothic Quarter. These include the Moxó and Requesens palaces and the 14th century Sants Just i Pastor church. It’s well worth popping in to admire the church’s Byzantine baptismal fonts and on your way out have a look at the Gothic-style Fivaller Fountain, featuring three medieval faces. The palaces offer guided tours and the church is open weekdays from 11am–2pm.
Where: Plaça Sant Just Nearest station: Jaume
Sagrada Família The enormous Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, which dominates the city’s skyline, is Gaudí’s masterpiece, although it has polarized opinions ever since its inception over a century ago.
Where: Carrer de Mallorca 401 Nearest station: Sagrada Família
Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Barcelona Barcelona’s impressive cathedral is the focal point of the Barri Gòtic. It presides over a vast square that was once the location of a Roman temple, and its spires soar above the immediate cityscape. Tip: the cathedral is free to enter in the morning or early evening.
Where: Pla de la Seu 3 Nearest station: Jaume I
Welcome to Barcelona