Barcelona is known for being so unique and intricate when it comes to their traditional dishes. In fact, many people often travel to Barcelona for the culture of the food. Traditional foods in Barcelona are not like other dishes throughout the country. The most common ingredients used in Barcelona are dried red peppers, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, garlic, olive oil and bread. However, some popular meals may include Esqueixada de bacallà which is a typical Catalan seafood dish. This dish is primarily cod added in with some greens, which is frequently eaten in Catalonia. Another popular dish is cargos a la lluna which is snail. This dish can be served two ways; grilled or soaked in tomatoes.

Cargos a la lluna https://theculturetrip.com/europe/andorra/articles/the-10-most-traditional-dishes-from-andorra/

Holiday Foods

If you were to choose to visit Barcelona during the holidays, you’ll feel just at home with the warm dishes. Just like any country Barcelona has certain dishes that they may associate with different holidays. A dish that is usually eaten the day after Christmas, December 26^th, is called cannelloni. This is usually made by using the leftovers after Christmas day which is made with stewed meat and topped with béchamel sauce. Another dish that is eaten on actual Christmas day in Barcelona is Escudella i Carn d’Olla / Sopa de Galets. This soup is eaten on chilly days with different kinds of meat cooked to form a broth for the soup that is added with noodles and the meat is usually served on the side.

Festivals

Its always fun to spice up the months with a little food festival. Barcelona has a variety of food festivals throughout different months that are special in their own ways. One that’s very popular is the monumental club which happens twice a year, in May and September. This festival is loaded with food trucks, music, and takes place in an old bull fighting arena. Brunch in the city is another food festival in april which mostly takes place in Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.Other food festivals include wine and socializing. Overall Barcelona is all about socializing and food is a big way to bring new people together.

Street Food

When in Barcelona you have to try the street food because it’s a staple. Some of the most common street foods are patatas bravas, Entrepà, bikini, and corquetas. Each of these foods have their own little spice. Patas bravas is not just your average potato, they have a bold but creamy paprika garlic sauce on them. Bikini is a classic ham and cheese sandwich where the cheese is melted just right. Some classic flavors you’ll find of corquetas are ham and mushroom. These are crispy on the outside and filled with a bechamel based sauce on the inside. Entrepàs are sandwiches that can have many different types of bread like anything from slices to a soft baguette. All of these foods are easy to eat on the go and show off some of the most common flavors used in Barcelona.

A few must sees in Barcelona!

La Sagrada Familia, which is in Barcelona, Spain, and was designed by famous designer Antonio Gaudi. La Sagrada Familia, or The Holy Family, is a famous landmark of Barcelona. Construction began in 1882, and it still is not yet completed! There is a ton of rich history surrounding La Sagrada Familia as well. For example, when it was commissioned in 1882, it was to encourage Christianity in Barcelona. One super interesting fact about La Sagrada Familia is that when Gaudi became the chief architect for this massive cathedral, he changed the original design plan that was neo-gothic, to a more geometric based form with shapes found in nature. Overall, it is an extremely beautiful work of architecture, and is a must see while in Barcelona, Spain. It is also a once in a lifetime experience to see La Sagrada Familia in person, which is another reason to come see it! https://www.britannica.com/topic/La-Sagrada-Familia

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Next up we have Casa Batllo, another amazing work of art by Antonio Gaudi! This is yet another piece of architecture with extremely rich history. This building was designed in 1877 by Emilio Sala Cortes who was actually Antonio Gaudi’s teacher when he was learning all about architecture. The original idea was to knock down the house, but Gaudi decided to renovate it instead into a building full of modernism, creativity, beauty, and imagination. One of the main reasons that his house is so beautiful is because of how Gaudi was able to create skylights and patios decorated in blue tones which are able to illuminate natural light throughout every corner of the house. Gaudi also utilized an art form known as trencadis, which is decorating with broken mosaic. Gaudi used a ton of broken pieces of glass and tile, which also adds to the reflection of the light throughout the building. There are many more amazing features throughout this house, but in order to find out about them, you’ll have to come see it yourself! Some people even call this building the house of magic! https://www.casabatllo.es/en/news/10-interesting-facts-casa-batllo/

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Finally, there is one hidden historic gem in Barcelona, Spain and once you know where to look it is an amazing experience. There are still Roman ruins scattered around Barcelona that you can find! The main place to go and find them are the ancient streets of the old town. One popular place that you can head to in order to explore some of these ruins is the Museu d’Historia de Barcelona or the MUHBA. This museum has been open since 1943, and is an interactive way to explore Barcelona to see the ancient Roman ruins. These ruins are scattered across the city, and this museum allows you to explore many of the major historical points. There is also Placa del Rei square, where there are many archaeological remains and ruins, and you can also walk along ancient Roman streets to see Roman busts and Roman ceramics. You can also find the remains of an old temple as well. There are many more sites to see, but you will have to come find out for yourself! https://www.bizflats.com/blog/roman-ruins-in-barcelona

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A city as rich in architecture and culture like Barcelona is certain to have a history that is just as fascinating to learn about. Take a dive into the earlier pieces of a history to get a better understanding of all that Barcelona has to offer. We begin with the Romans; it was the Romans who are credited with giving Barcelona its name. Caesar Augustus arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in 14 AD and changed the name to Barcino, having it turn into a sort of “retirement home” for older soldiers. It was not until 250 AD, when the Visigoths were attacking, that strong fortifications were set up around the city that Rome truly recognized the worth of the quickly growing city. You can still see some of these walls today in the Gothic Quarter!

In the 5^th century AD, it was conquered by the Visigoths, who named it the capital of all of Hispania, followed by the period of Al-Andalus, or Spain under Moorish rule. Barcelona was conquered in 8^th century AD by the Moors, though their rule was short, especially when compared to other places within Spain. Shortly after, the Siege of Barcelona took place where an army led by Charlemagne’s son Louis the Pious starved the people of the city until they eventually opened the gates on April 4, 801, and Louis named Barcelona the Carolingian “Hispanic March”, ruled over by the Count of Barcelona.

On July 6, 985, Barcelona, who under the Count had been able to gain territory spanning the entirity of Catalonia, was under attack by the army of Almanzor, a Moorish military leader, and the result was devastating. Many lives were taken in Barcelona, and those who were not killed were enslaved. It was not a highlight of Barcelona’s history. In 1137, there was a merge between the Aragon and the County of Barcelona that came from the marriage of Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Petronilla of Aragon. Their union ultimately led to the birth of King Alfonso II, the first king of Aragon who was also the Count of Barcelona. Alfonso II established the Crown of Aragon, and created a territory for himself, one so large it was considered a sort of ruler of the western Mediterranean World, and Barcelona was at the center of this “economic and political” goliath. Structures from this grand period between the 13^th and 15^th centuries can still be seen today in the Gothic Quarter!

It was during this era, 1401 to be exact, that the Bank of Barcelona, what scholars claim to be the oldest bank in Europe, was formed. However, the true downfall of Barcelona’s power and influence comes from the union between the Crown of Aragon and Castile with the marriage of Ferdinand II and Isabella I, and the once economic and political prowess Barcelona had begins to crumble. This period of decline ended, and a cultural revival took place during the 19^th century with the coming of the textile industry. This period is known as Renaixença; during it, the repressed Catalan language flourished once again.  

Perhaps those fascinated by outer space will find this particular piece of history interesting: in 1794, a French astronomer by the name of Pierre François André Méchain used a fortress at Monjuïc, a beautiful hill in Barcelona, and was able to establish the measurement of a meter. Who knew Barcelona’s history also included that of the sciences?  

Barcelona before the 20^th century was filled with many key figures and historical events that have helped shape the Barcelona we know today. Just to take a step back and analyze some significant events that marked Spanish history, there was the reign of Isabella I and Ferdinand II, the War of the Spanish Succession, and the well-known Industrial Revolution that helped spark the change for the working class. At the peak of the 20^th century, Barcelona was known for its modernist development with increased personality, strength, and succession. Artists, engineers, designers, and more have made an incredible impact on the city of Barcelona that has made its upbringing when it comes to essential topics in history classes.

One historical event that is known all throughout Barcelona began about a decade and a half after World War I which was the Spanish Civil War which lasted for three years. On July 19, 1936, there was a military uprising in the city of Barcelona led by the middle class, also known as the working class, as they took this opportunity to take control over the manufacturing and the means of production to form a military rebellion with the Spanish generals. Also, many people in Spain wanted to be freed from the rule of Francisco Franco who unified the Nationalists. During the civil war, there were two sides fighting for control of Spain; the left wing was the Republicans, and the right wing was the Nationalists. The Republicans included the Popular Front, UGT, CNT-FAI, International Brigades, and a few more. The opposing side included CEDA, Traditionalist Communion, the Army of Africa, and others.

While still amid the Spanish Civil War in 1938, another horrific event happened was the bombing of Barcelona that led to the killing of over a thousand people and left several thousand injured as well. Benito Mussolini, who was the dictator of fascist Italy, and Adolf Hitler who was the dictator of Nazi Germany both set out several airstrikes in Barcelona in March of 1938. Benito initiated the airstrikes in hopes that it would weaken the confidence of the Republic who were known as the Reds.

Fast forward to the outcome of the war in 1939, as they became unsuccessful in the military uprising the Nationalists won the war, half a million people lost their lives, and Spain was captured so they continued ruling until Francisco Franco died. After the death of Franco, Spain transitioned to a democratic government in 1978 where later Industrialization grew significantly in Barcelona. Towards the end of the 20^th century, Spain overgone many changes to its country and is continuing its peaceful existence. Since the beginning of the 21^st century, there have been protests held in Spain where people gathered to celebrate the independence of Spain called the “Catalan Independence Movement” where you can find more in-depth information about it here.

In Barcelona today, you can take part in a self-guided tour throughout the city to visit some of the sights from the Spanish Civil War. The tour is called the “Barcelona Civil War Tour” that covers at least 16 attractions and lasts about three hours. One of the attractions you can see is the Fossar de la Pedrera which is a memorial site in Barcelona that holds around 4,000 people who were a part of the White terror that were killed. Attending these historical sites will help students get a better understanding and be able to connect to the past.