Barcelona has a vast history of architecture with many buildings in the Gothic Quarter dating back to Medieval times. Barcelona is also home to several World Heritage Sites including the Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, and also many works by Antoni Gaudí: Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and the Crypt in Colonia Güell.
Antoni Gaudí is probably best internationally known for his still unfinished church of the Sagrada Família, which he began construction on in 1882. He devoted more than 40 years of his life to its design and construction before dying in 1926. The church is currently scheduled for completion in 2026.
Two other notable architects are Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who designed the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Hospital de Sant Pau and the Casa Lleó Morera, and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who’s Casa Ametller can be seen on Passeig de Gràcia.
UNIVERSITIES
Barcelona is arguably the most stylish, multicultural and vibrant city in Spain, which makes it a highly popular choice for study abroad, graduate and post-graduate students. With all the historical sites, museums, theatres, bars, cafés, restaurants, beaches and shopping, one will never get bored while taking a break from their studies. Here is a list of some of the most popular universities Barcelona has to offer
ABOUT
Barcelona has a rich cultural history whose reputation as an artistic haven is known worldwide. From poetry to graffiti murals to ballet, one is sure to find something appealing to the senses. The works of legends such as Antonio Gaudí, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies continuously draw large crowds to Barcelona every year.
Although previously ruled under a dictatorship after the Civil War in 1936 that tightly restricted the cultural development of the city, Barcelona rigorously worked to restore its cultural heritage after democracy was reinstated in 1978.
Currently, an important festival that celebrates the very essence of Barcelona’s cultural past and encourages an artistically open and creative future is the annual Grec Festival of Barcelona. Each summer, from June to August, the city exposes locals and tourists alike to all variations of the performing arts. In 2009, more than 60 theatre, music, dance and circus acts took place in more than 26 venues throughout the city.
LITERATURE EVENTS
Barcelona Book Market
During this annual event, the street of Passeig de Gràcia is lined with stands selling used and antique books. Catalan and foreign titles available. When: Sep-Oct 2009 (annual) Where: Passeig de Gràcia
Sant Jordi
On this day, which is the American equivalent to Valentine’s Day, men give roses to women and women give a book to men as gifts. The city is filled with stands selling roses and books. When: April (annual) Where: various locations throughout Barcelona
Barcelona Poetry
During this weeklong event in Barcelona, various venues celebrate poetry with readings, workshops, and other special events. When: May (annual) Where: various locations throughout Barcelona
CUISINE
The Catalan cuisine can be categorized as Mediterranean, relying heavily on a wide range of fresh vegetables, olive oil, bread, legumes, garlic, seafood and pork. It includes a variety of dishes and foods also common in other regions of Spain: paella (rice with seafood), chorizo (spicy sausage), gazpacho (chilled tomato based soup), cured Iberian ham, the Spanish tortilla (egg and potato omelet), and so on. A few of the dishes most notably unique to the region are: tomato bread, calçots, aioli, and crema catalana.
Tomato bread, pa amb tomàquet in Catalan, is made with a base of bread (sometimes toasted), which is then rubbed with raw garlic, the innards of a tomato, then drizzled with olive oil and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. A very simple accompaniment for any meal...
