|
|
Barcelona
In a privileged position on the
north-eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the shores of the
Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both
size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, one of the
seventeen autonomous communities that compose Spain.
|
 |
|
Barcelona is unequivocally a Mediterranean city,
not only because of its geographic location but also and above all
because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. The
documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman
colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona
experienced spectacular growth and economic development during the
second half of the 19th century. Culture and the arts flourished in
Barcelona and in all of Catalonia; the splendour achieved by Catalonian
modernism is one of the most patent displays.
|
 |
More than just a single city,
Barcelona is really a collection of multi-faceted and diverse places.
One might be surprised that such a modern and enterprising city
preserves its historic Gothic centre almost intact, or by the curious
contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of
the modern Barcelona of the end of the 19th century.
|
|
Barcelona is a city in motion, constantly reinventing itself. Here,
past merges with future in an effervescent present. One can see it in
the city’s beautifully preserved Barri Gòtic (Gothic
Quarter), in the architectural confections of Gaudí and his
Modernista pals, and in recent contender Jean Nouvel’s shimmering
Torre Agbar. The heady mix of Gothic monuments and contemporary
skyscrapers is accompanied by a bevy of world-class museums that take
you from the wonders of giant Romanesque frescoes to the playfulness of
Joan Miró, from pre-Columbian South American gold to early
Picasso.
|
How to reach Barcelona
The city is served by Barcelona Airport in the town of
El Prat de Llobregat, about 17 km distance and around 20 minutes by taxi
to the congress centre. It is the second-largest airport in Spain, and
the largest on the Mediterranean coast.
|
 |
|
The airport serves domestic and European destinations
and some airlines offer destinations in Asia and the United States. The
airport is connected to the city by highway, commuter train and
scheduled bus service.
|
|
