Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of the province of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain,
after Madrid. The urban area of Barcelona extends beyond the city limits with a population
of over 4 million. It is also Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast. It is also
famous for its football team FC Barcelona, arch rivals with the other famous spanish football
team Real Madrid.
Historical Architecture
Barcelona has varied history dating back to the Roman Empire. Many of the buildings date
from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona.
Relatively more modern Catalan architecture (often known as Art Nouveau in the rest of
Europe), developed between 1885 and 1950 and left an important legacy in Barcelona.
Especially remarkable is the work of architect Antoni Gaudi. His best known work is the
immense but still unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, which has been under
construction since 1882, and is still financed by private donations. As of 2007, completion is
planned for 2026.
The Catalan Music Palace, Palau Musica, is a concert hall in Barcelona. Designed in the
Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between
1905 and 1908. In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Today, more than half a million people a year attend musical performances in
the Palau that range from symphonic and chamber music to jazz and Cançó (Catalan song).
