After class on Monday, Rafael Gomez-Moriana, our second Seminar Professor, took us on a tour of the city. Barcelona has a unique history that has gone back thousands of years to ancient Roman times. A part of the autonomous region of Catalonia within the Spanish state, residents speak both Spanish and Catalan, althought many residents know 'un poco' English to keep up with the large amount of tourists. Barcelona was a major thriving city when it was annexed by Spain, through a long and complicated history. However, it was determined that Madrid would be the capital because it was the geographical center of the country. Because of this, Barcelona was confined within its existing ancient Roman and Mideval walls around the city so that Madrid would be able to surpass its quickly growing size. This area within grew organically becoming very dense and is now the heart of the city. After the walls were taken down, the city quickly grew outward, set-up in a more grid-like system, much like many of the cities in the United States.
Along our tour, we visited the Barcelona Cathedral. This Gothic Cathedral began construction in 1298, placed on the site of the former Romanesque Cathedral which was distroyed in 925.
Along our tour, we visited the Barcelona Cathedral. This Gothic Cathedral began construction in 1298, placed on the site of the former Romanesque Cathedral which was distroyed in 925.