Why Barcelona?
Almost 4.5 million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The
city enjoys a prime location, bathed by the sea and has excellent
transport links with the rest of Europe. The Mediterranean and Europe
are the defining characteristics of Catalonia.
Barcelona is a modern, cosmopolitan city, but has inherited many
centuries of history. Its geographic location and the open character
of its inhabitants are the reasons why the city is being culturally
enriched all the time. It has a valuable architectural and monumental
heritage, the most splendid exponents of which are its Gothic and
modernista buildings. Five of its buildings have been designated World
Heritage Sites. The entire city guarantees that visitors will enjoy
taking a stroll around its streets which are replete with charm.
The 1992 summer Olympic Games left their mark on the city´s landscape
and it has become one of the world´s true cultural capitals.
The urban landscape combines some of the clearest examples of modern-day
architecture with the historical monuments to be found in the city´s
oldest quarters. Internationally renowned for modernist buildings
constructed for the ‘Universal Exhibition’ celebrated at the beginning
of the last century, and whose architects include Puig i Cadafalch,
Domenech i Moi, and the brilliant Antoni Gaudí, parks and buildings
reflect avant garde tendencies rather than more traditional designs.
Wide boulevards are truly emblematic in Barcelona and are full of life at
all hours of the day and night. Taking a stroll down ‘Las Ramblas’, the
famous avenue leading down to the sea, you will find a curious mixture of
stately buildings, shops and cafes, and mime artists and street
entertainers who invite you to dwell just a little longer than you may
have planned. You will also come across fascinating local markets such as
the vibrant ‘Boqueria’, to feast your eyes on; yet another of the cities
delights.
Such a colourful mixture and a constant movement of people from all across
the globe makes Barcelona one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities
on the Mediterranean and in fact, in the whole world.
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