Barcelona a city for the 21st Century.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is not only one of Spain's most prosperous cities; it is also one of Europe's prime tourist destinations. The city has a certain indescribable something: an allure that attracts thousands of tourists every year, a character that inspires pride in its citizens. Barcelona's climate, way of life and cultural heritage make it a wonderful place to visit and live. The 1992 Olympic Games marked a turning point in the city's history, both in terms of urban development and international recognition. However, the secret of its success doesn't lie in the Olympic Games alone. After all, that important event took place thirteen years ago, and the city is still growing and developing on many different levels. Catalonia as a whole and Barcelona in particular take pride in having a unique identity. This is manifested in many ways but most obviously in the Catalan language, which differentiates the region and its inhabitants from the rest of Spain. Barcelona has always seen itself as a European city. Long before Spain joined the E.U. and other Spanish cities discovered their European character, Barcelona already celebrated its connection to its continental neighbours. Barcelona's European identity is largely due to its proximity to France a fact that allowed European influences and cultural movements to reach the Catalan capital much earlier than the rest of Spain. And Barcelona never hesitated to take advantage of this privilege and weave the incoming influences into its cultural fabric. The modernist movement and the world renowned work of architect Antoni Gaud also contributed to the city's international reputation. Architecture, however, isn't the only art to flourish in Barcelona. The city has always had a rich cultural, artistic and intellectual life, which found expression in music, theatre and literature. Furthermore, this wealth of creative output is not a thing of the past. Barcelona is still a place of innovation and new, artistic tendencies. Nowadays, Barcelona is home to cutting-edge design, hip fashion and avant-garde architecture, which all help to keep the world fixated on this Mediterranean city. Barcelona no longer needs an advertising campaign; its solid, hard-earned and well-deserved reputation brings thousands of visitors to the city throughout the year.

A truly great city is defined by being something special to many different kinds of people. Children, young adults, older adults, locals, tourists, visitors in the city on business or for pleasure Barcelona gives something to each and every one of them, which is what makes it such a popular destination. In addition to being an attractive cultural centre, Barcelona's location between the sea and the mountains makes it an ideal place for a wide variety of activities. Barcelona, like many other European cities, has become a cosmopolitan and multicultural city over the years. Immigrants from many, different countries have made Barcelona their new home, settling primarily in the Raval and the Gothic Quarter. They have given Barcelona a plural character that it didn't have in the past. Perhaps it was the last challenge Barcelona had to face to prove its commitment as a tolerant, welcoming and cosmopolitan city. The best way in which to approach this city is with an open mind and a lack of preconceived notions. If you come here with the sole mission of spending your days on the beach, you will definitely find what you are looking for. However, by limiting your options, you will miss out on everything else this unique and multifaceted city has to offer. Barcelona is one city with many different faces: traditional and historical, modern and avant-garde, trendy and cutting-edge, multicultural and diverse, ancient and yet completely new. If you meet this city with curiosity, you will be rewarded. Take this guide book along as your travel companion, use it as a resource and reference, but above all else, let this unforgettable city surprise you. In the end, the best photo album you can take home with you is a head full of vivid memories. The Founding of Barcelona Barcelona is an open, cosmopolitan and tolerant city, character traits owed to more than 4,000 years of history. Although officially Barcelona was founded by the Romans, evidence exists of settlements in this area as early as Neolithic times. Towards the end of the 1st century B.C., the Romans established a city called Barcino around what was then the Tber Mountain. Nowadays, the slight incline of this hill can still be noticed when heading up to the Plaa Sant Jaume, the square that now covers what was once the Tber. What is interesting is that the Romans also used this exact spot as their political and administrative centre just like Barcelona does now. The Plaa Sant Jaume is where both the Barcelona City Hall and the seat of the Generalitat de Catalunya are located. The Romans encircled their city with imposing city walls, which were maintained and even expanded for centuries thereafter. This severely limited the growth of the city and many areas that are now integrated neighbourhoods, Grcia for example, were then separate villages lying outside the city limits. Between the 5th and 8th centuries, the Visigoths lost control of te city, and Barcelona came under Moorish rule. In the year 801, Charlemagne's troops conquered the city. The north of Catalonia and the old Visigoth Gaul became Frankish territories, and in the year 878 Guifr El Pils was named count of Barcelona, Girona and Besal. However, this period was not to last very long. The Moorish army invaded the city, which brought about two, decisive consequences for the city. On the one hand, Barcelona was almost completely destroyed and, on the other, these events led to their independence from Frankish rule. The then governing count, Borrell II, considered that Barcelona had been betrayed and that the ties of vassalage had been broken by the Franks' decision to not come to the city's aid. Borrell II changed the political face of Barcelona by naming himself Marquis and Duke of Iberia in God's name. This was the dawn of an era that, although complicated, brought about a quick recovery for the city. At the beginning of the 11th century, Barcelona invaded Crdoba, which ended with an important victory for the former as well as significant wealth and economic gain.

This "compensation" allowed the city to develop at a rapid rate. In addition to this, the other Catalan counties began to unite with Barcelona as their capital, which yielded an important expansion, both in terms of territory and influence. The Middle Ages and the War of Succession During the early 12th century, at the height of the middle ages, Barcelona experienced a flourishing era of prosperity that affected all aspects of city life. The marriage between the then count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer IV, and the daughter of the king of Aragn united the two territories, bringing with it a vast increase in economic prosperity and political power. Barcelona remained the capital of the new, united government and began a period of active expansion, helped largely by the open commerce across the Mediterranean and the tariffs collected from the Moorish Taifa Kingdoms. Barcelona's conquests between the 13th and 15th centuries vastly increased its territories to include the kingdom of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Sicily and Sardinia. This period saw the construction of two new sections of the city wall. One section served to protect the annexed towns that had previously lain outside the old Roman wall, and the other section enclosed the agricultural fields covering the area now known as the Raval. The city experienced incredible, economic growth throughout this period and became a sought after destination within the Mediterranean sphere. Many different kinds of merchants, artisans and seafarers flocked to the city in search of personal prosperity. They formed guilds, the majority of which were concentrated around the city's political centre, the Plaa Sant Jaume. Even today, as you walk through the maze of little streets in this area, you can see the old guilds reflected in the street names, long-gone professions recalled in names such as Flassaders (blanket-maker) or Sombrerers (hatter). This flourishing era came to an end in the 15th century. The bubonic plague and civil wars devastated the population, and the military campaigns being fought abroad did little to ameliorate the situation. Maritime commerce was increasingly attacked and ransacked by pirates, and the discovery of America in 1492 wasn't equally favourable to all Spanish territories. Aragn suffered rather severe setbacks during this period as it was denied the right to trade with the American colonies until 1778, almost three centuries after the discovery of the New World. Castile did not look favourably upon Catalonia's independence and in 1640 began what has come to be known as the Segadors War. This war was an attempt by Castile to suppress the city's surging nationalism. Barcelona resisted for twelve years but couldn't win the war; in 1652 the Castilian troops defeated the city. Barcelona managed to hold on to its autonomy but had to witness the dismemberment of its territories. It was during this era that the northern section of Catalonia came under French rule. The Catalan national anthem still recalls this war by bearing its name. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be the only difficult blow Catalonia would suffer during this time. Between 1705 and 1714, Barcelona fought the War of Succession, which ended with the French and Castilian troops conquering the city. The ensuing repression was severe. Not only did Barcelona lose all autonomy, but Castile also claimed much of its territory, such as Sicily, Sardinia, Naples and Mallorca. Barcelona became subject to Castilian law, the only one recognised throughout the land, and the speaking of Catalan was strictly forbidden, not only in public but in private settings as well. If you find yourself near the Santa Maria del Mar church in the Born neighbourhood, you will probably notice an enormous, copper-coloured torch: this is the Fosar de les Moreres. The flame burning at the very top commemorates all the Catalans who lost their life during the War of Succession. This isn't the only historical curiosity in the Born. In February 2002, the project to restructure the old Born Market was set into motion. The market was to be reinvented as a space to house the Barcelona Provincial Library, but no one was quite prepared for what they were to find

beneath the market. The ground had been guarding a fascinating secret for centuries, the archaeological remains of the old, medieval city circa 1714. The importance of this archaeological gem cannot be overstated; it is probably the largest archaeological park of its kind to be found in the urban centre of any European city. As you stroll along the Born promenade, another peculiar artefact might catch your eye: a chest and four, numbered cannon balls, all of which date back to the medieval era. Following this period wrought with conflict, Barcelona began a gradual recovery. The city remained militarised for a long time to come; the occupying forces even constructed an enormous fortress to keep invaders at bay (today the remnants of this fortress form part of the Ciutadela Park). The areas now known as the Raval and La Rambla had been rather insignificant until this point in time the former had been little more than agricultural land and the latter an unimportant piece of road. During this period they were developed, and the city was seemingly getting back on its feet again. However, despite the city's growth, the progress was only skin-deep; beneath it an incendiary mix of social tensions was gaining momentum.

The 19th Century: The Arrival of New Movements The first half of the 19th century was marked by uprisings and revolts. In 1814, amidst bombings, riots, convent fires and general conflict, the city's workers organised the first general strike the city had ever known. The tension that characterised this time as well as the obvious clamouring for change brought about a series of important reforms. In 1848 Barcelona inaugurated its first railway route, and the city's commitment to the industrial age earned it the nickname "little Manchester". In 1854, the city walls finally came down, an event that allowed a sudden, unprecedented surge in urban development. Furthermore, 1859 saw the approval of the Ildefons Cerd Plan, which gave birth to the area now known as the Eixample and laid out the by now classic, grid-like pattern, interspersed with open, public spaces and gardens. It was to be a more humane form of urban architecture, bringing light and space to a city still marked by its medieval past. The fortress overlooking the city also fell victim to change and was torn down to make room for a very special event hosted by the city: the 1888 World Fair. This event marked a turning point in the city's history. All of Europe turned its eyes on the Catalan capital and saw for the first time that it shared many of their concerns. Another important element that would affect the make-up of the city was the arrival of Spanish immigration. Starting towards the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, Barcelona began to turn into the epicentre of a new cultural avant-garde. These movements made the new scientific, technical and artistic advances that had been achieved the focus of their work and thinking. Whereas a new generation of industrialists and politicians, stemming from the bourgeoisie, concentrated on the urban advancements that would turn Barcelona into a modern city, the intellectual circles started to move into a new direction.

In 1897 a new restaurant, inspired by the Le Chat Noir in Paris, opened its doors in Barcelona. Its name was Els Quatre Gats, and it stood out for being a very unusual place. It fell somewhere between a traditional guesthouse, a tavern and the kind of refined, modernist bar that was popular throughout the rest of Europe at the time. Els Quatre Gats soon became a popular hang-out for artists such as Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiol, Isaac Albniz and Antoni Gaud. In 1899, a very young Picasso displayed his very first exhibition on the walls of this restaurant. Needless to say, the reigning atmosphere was bohemian, artistic and thoroughly unique. Some of that flavour still lingers in the air at Carrer Montsi 3, just around the corner from the Portal de l'Angel, where you can enjoy a coffee or a meal while soaking in all of the place's by now legendary history. The spirit of the Modernist movement colours every artistic aspect of the city, especially noticeable in much of the architecture. A whole generation of artists were captivated by this movement and allowed their imagination free reign, the only apparent taboo being the straight line. Colourful ceramics, glasswork, wrought-iron and an entire imaginary animal kingdom made their way into the city's architecture. The unquestionable frontrunner of this style was without a doubt Antoni Gaud who is immortalised by the timeless, universal creations he set into the city: the Sagrada Familia, buildings like Casa Mil (also known as La Pedrera) and Casa Batll and the Park Gell. Contemporary Barcelona The 20th century also brought dark moments to the city. In 1906 Barcelona lived through its infamous Tragic Week, marked by numerous altercations, general upheaval and the burning of convents. The Mancomunitat de Catalunya was set up in 1914, a product of the rise in Catalan, nationalist tendencies that were a direct response to the repressive, military rule. However, a few years later, General Primo de Rivera organised a coup which brought him to power. He ruled the city as a dictator with an iron fist. However, despite the repressive conditions rampant in the city, Barcelona managed to overcome many obstacles to organise, amidst all of this conflict, the 1929 International Fair. The Republican era that began in 1931 reawakened the city's hope and spirit, but more difficult times were on the horizon. The Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936, a war during which Barcelona would live through some of its darkest and most difficult moments. Thousands of people fled into exile while relentless bombardments devastated the city. When the civil war came to an end in 1939 and the Franco Dictatorship rose to power, Barcelona lost many of its previous freedoms, including the loss of its autonomy, which it had managed to regain in the past. The city also watched as the Catalan language was yet again declared illegal. The post-war period unfolded in this environment until the 1960s. That decade witnessed the beginnings of an economic and industrial expansion, which brought another wave of immigration from other Spanish regions to the city. The rise in the population brought with it an immense demand for more housing and urban infrastructure - two areas in which the city grew dramatically, often without defined criteria, resulting in the birth of sleeper cities in the outskirts. Democracy came to Spain in 1975 after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. Barcelona reinstated the Generalitat as its autonomous government and was once again recognised as the capital of an autonomous Catalonia. Along with its newly regained freedoms, Barcelona also continued to grow on an industrial as well as cultural level. In 1981 came another turning point for the city - the International Olympics Committee announced that Barcelona would host the 1992 Olympic Games. The selection as Olympic host set off a profound architectural and urban transformation that would change the city forever. As part of the city's renovation process, the coastline was won back from its industrial grave and converted into sandy beaches and internationally renowned architects built landmark structures. The effort culminated in one of the best Games in Olympic history and presented the world with a whole new Barcelona: modern, open and welcoming.

The 2004 Forum of Cultures was the most recent international event celebrated in Barcelona. Despite lacking the popular response garnered by the Olympic Games, the Forum did put Barcelona back into the world's spotlight and spurred the construction of new spaces, such as a new convention centre and an auditorium. Although the final function of the Forum grounds is still to be determined, one thing is already certain. The development of the Forum infrastructure resulted in recovering and rehabilitating one of Barcelona's most forgotten and neglected urban zones. Nowadays, Barcelona is one of Europe's main tourist destinations. The reasons for the city's immense popularity are many. Barcelona has managed to maintain its identity without rejecting change; championing modern design without losing sight of tradition and becoming a cosmopolitan city without forgetting its roots and ancient customs. You have chosen to visit a truly special and unique city, a place that embraces change and yet somehow always manages to stay true to its character. CONTEMPORARY BARCELONA - LIVING CULTURE THEATRE: A NEW CONTEMPORARY TWIST Theatre has had a long-lasting and reputable tradition in Barcelona. Several theatrical companies renowned throughout Spain and the rest of the world have their roots in Barcelona. Many of these groups share a common career path: starting small, often as a hobby, and performing locally in Catalan on the many, alternative stages located throughout the city. The majority of groups don't break out of this mould, but those that do have contributed enormously to new theatrical movements which have garnered an important following and a solid reputation worldwide. Barcelona has always managed to maintain its traditions and simultaneously give birth to new and important voices in the avant-garde. One of these voices is definitely the internationally renowned group La Fura dels Baus. They have created an unusual theatrical style unlike any other, which brings together live performance, theatrical techniques, visual art and music. The result is a completely innovative and new type of performance - it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but its originality and importance cannot be overstated. The group has always worked towards creating a complete work, meaning a theatrical performance that isn't just something to be seen and heard, but something that can be experienced by every sense. To this end, La Fura dels Baus usually selects rather unconventional venues to stage their pieces. The group creates their own stage by placing traditionally nontheatrical spaces into a different context. They "invaded" the Olympic Stadium with an enormous boat during the 1992 Olympic Games' inaugural celebration. In another performance they gathered 20,000 people in Plaa Catalunya for a spectacular farewell to the 20th century, accompanied by a character of their creation, the Millennium Man. La Fura were long considered rather shocking (and still are by some audience members) for dealing with taboo subjects such as sexuality, deviant behaviour and mental illness. Whether their work is to your liking or not, one thing is unquestionably true: they have created their own style and a completely new type of performance. They have always been daring, recently experimenting with digital media as an element in their shows and making forays into opera and film. Their shows always open with much hype and polemic, which generally assures a hit at the box-office. More than a million people have attended their shows over the years, which have received every kind of review - from rave to condemnation. However, reviews seem to have little bearing on La Fura dels Baus' drawing power - tickets to their shows usually sell out within a few days of going on sale.

Somewhat less "aggressive" but equally note-worthy is the group Els Comediants. The group was born more than three decades ago during a time when intellectual content dominated official theatres. The members of Els Comediants were inspired by other European groups active at that time, but they wove a lot of traditional, local elements into their work. Their name refers to an ancient custom in which travelling comedians went from village to village performing their routine. However, since they often performed in the same villages over and over again, they had to invent myriad tricks to tell the same story differently each and every time. The group isn't too concerned with texts, direction and sets. Theirs is a truly live performance, and any square, street or building - including the underground station and historical monuments - can serve as their stage. Props are equally unnecessary - any quotidian object, be it a glass, a coffee cup or a chair, can offer up a world of possibility. Creating theatrical pieces about love, heartbreak, family drama and profound emotion is easy, but theatre based on the simple facets of daily life, that is a challenge. Their approach lies entirely in experimentation and playing with different theatrical languages, including clown, puppet theatre and commedia del arte. Their goal is not to please everyone but rather to find a different and amusing way to tell stories that communicate with people of all ages. Dagoll Dagom, another important Catalan group, works in a similar vein but with a perhaps more conventional approach. The group was also founded in the 1970s and currently consists of one of the most enduring and important casts in Spain. They have experimented with a variety of different shows, including stage productions of some of the most important Catalan works of literature. Most recently they have changed course and opted for a greater emphasis on musical theatre, a genre in which they have excelled with productions like Mikado, Glups!, Els Pirates and Mar i Cel. The latter was first produced in 1988 and received a revival this year.

LITERATURE: A LONG AND ENDURING STORY October 18th, 2003 was the day Manuel Vzquez Montalbn died of a heart at the airport in Bangkok and a sad day for all those who love Catalan literature. However, it was also a day that stirred other emotions, the feeling that not every good writer has to be a prophet in their country. Vzquez Montalbn was born in Barcelona's Raval district in 1939, right after the end of the Spanish Civil War. Both during his lifetime and after his death, the writer was recognised and celebrated for his literary achievements. He wrote about many things, and he wrote a lot about Barcelona. Few authors can come close to the vivid portraits with which he immortalised the Barcelona of his youth. And yet, his literature isn't just for his fellow Barcelona citizens, his literature is grander than that, more far-reaching, and can appeal to anyone who loves a great story, no matter where they are from. Manuel Vzquez Montalbn was an out-spoken leftist, a political conviction that cost him a year and a half in a Lleida prison. He began writing poems in prison as well as his first book: Informe sobre la Informacin (A Report on Information), a manual on proper conduct in journalism. He wrote prolifically, sometimes three or four books in one year, and about many, different subjects: politics, gastronomy, current events and the Bara team he so fervently supported. However, his greatest fame came thanks to a detective named Pepe Carvalho. He was the protagonist of a series of novels which Vzquez Montalbn never managed to complete (one book was still unfinished at the time of his death). Carvalho roamed through the many moods of Barcelona, sometimes dark and threatening, sometimes friendly and embracing, and in doing so brought the city a degree of international fame that no advertising campaign could have ever achieved. As a token of gratitude, Barcelona created a Pepe Carvalho Route. This homage to

Vzquez Montalbn takes you into the world of the intrepid detective and allows you to discover the many corners of the city immortalised by the novels. Another great Catalan, literary voice died in 2003: Terenci Moix. Moix was also born in the Raval, specifically in the Granja Gav, now a caf and restaurant on Carrer Joaqun Costa, in 1942. He became a celebrated icon to all provocateurs, mythomaniacs and members of the emerging gay scene. Being gay in post-war Spain wasn't accepted or even openly admitted and going against this cultural bigotry took more than a little courage. Terenci Moix never made excuses for his lifestyle and always defended his right to freedom. He was an eternal Peter Pan figure, charming, brazen and unpredictable, who charmed his way into every single literary circle, from the most refined to the most populist. He was one of the most visible and outspoken members of the gauche divine, the intellectual movement that emerged in Catalonia during the late 1960s and included many artists, writers, architects and musicians. The group defended their ideas in a time when the central government still oppressed and censored much of the social sphere. But more than freedom-fighter, intellectual and icon of the gay movement, Terenci Moix was a writer. And a great one. Moix was a passionate traveller and had a special love affair with Egypt, a country that he visited a total of 22 times and which inspired some of his best novels. In his novel El Da que muri Marilyn (The Day Marilyn Died), Moix introduced pop, cinema, comic book, erotic and sexual references into his writing, elements heretofore unknown and unheard of in Catalan literature. Moix fell into a long literary silence between 1971 and 1983, provoked in part by the dissolution of his decade long relationship. He finally broke the silence with his novel No Digas que fue un Sueo (Don't tell me it was a Dream). This novel was one of Moix's greatest achievements, and one of the best-selling books in Spain. The book also seemed to bestow on him a seemingly endless literary glory. Every book thereafter, always published simultaneously in Catalan and Spanish as well as several other languages, landed him another best-seller. Books such as El sexo de los ngeles, El Amargo Don de la Belleza, El Sueo de Alejandra, La Herida de la Esfinge, Terenci del Nilo and El Arpista Ciego earned Moix a place amongst the most popular of Catalan, literary voices. Two elements were perennially present in his work: the land of the pharaohs and the world of cinema. These were his two, greatest passions (he had a collection of more than 2,000 films). His third passion was smoking, a habit that accompanied him throughout his life and eventually caused his death. He was 61 years old when he died and despite the many wonderful stories he had written, there were many left untold. If Vzquez Montalbn and Terenci Moix were the two great voices of Catalan narrative literature, then Miquel Mart i Pol is their equal in the world of poetry. He was born on March 19th, 1929, and his life changed completely when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the 1970s. Rather than bringing an end to his writing career, it seemed to endow him with more strength, motivation and fervour. He created an astounding poetic language in Catalan that spoke of love, desire and death, exemplified by works such as La Pell del Viol, Quadern de Vacances, Llibre dels Sis Sentits and Estimada Marta, one of his most popular volumes. Catalan singer-songwriters like Llus Llach and Rafael Subirachs have put his words to music, and his poems have been translated into many different languages including Portuguese, German, English, Italian, Flemish, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Russian and Japanese. During his last years, despite the difficulties caused by his debilitating illness, he never retreated from public life. He still attended public events, regardless whether they were organised by important institutions or neighbourhood organisations. Many city streets bear his name, and a spontaneous, popular demand pushed the Institute of Catalan Letters to nominate Miquel Mart i Pol as a candidate for the Nobel Prize in 1999.

MUSIC: FROM THE RUMBA TO THE CAN CATALANA Ask any tourist or even many who live in Barcelona where the rumba comes from, and they will probably reply: "from Andalusia, of course". Well, no. The rumba doesn't come from the hot, southern lands of Andalusia. In fact, the cheerful, flamenco sound that tells stories of the Roma way of life was born right here in Barcelona, specifically on the Carrer de la Cera in the Raval. Legend has it that the original creators of the Rumba were El Orelles, who sang at neighbourhood parties, and El Toqui, who "invented" a guitar-playing style that combined melody and percussion. At least this is the most authentic and popular version of the tale. The person who brought the rumba to the stage and consequently earned it its fame was Antonio Gonzlez, El Pescalla. The brilliant Roma performer, who later married Lola Flores, another mythical, flamenco star, took Frank Sinatra songs and gave them a twist. He accompanied his impressive vocal rendition with rhythmic clapping, and his dancing style was marked by a "rumbero" touch. However, the rumba was immortalised by Peret, who gave it the sound we recognise today and earned it international recognition and fame. Catalan singer-songwriters also have a loyal following in Barcelona, the most famous of which are Joan Manuel Serrat and Llus Llach. Ask around - almost any local can sing a few bars of Serrat's famous song "Mediterrneo" which, despite being sung in Castilian, has become somewhat of an unofficial anthem. DESIGNERS: BREAKING THE MOULD Barcelona is a small Mecca for design lovers who flock here year after year. The city has a long and exciting history in this field and has experienced an important evolution over the years, not just in fashion but also in graphic and industrial design. It is difficult to select a few names from the many talented, local designers, but one name that definitely deserves a mention is Javier Mariscal. Although Mariscal was born in Valencia, he moved to Barcelona at a young age and has built up his design studio at the Palo Alto complex in Poble Nou. Although this multifaceted artist, who works in sculpture, graphic and industrial design and illustration, had been working in the city for years, his first, big moment came during the 1992 Olympic Games. Mariscal was put in charge of designing the event's mascot, a friendly, little dog named Cobi who changed not only Mariscal's career but also the country's approach to illustration. The ground-breaking star of Barcelona's fashion world is without a doubt Custo Dalmau. His brand Custo Barcelona produces world-famous, printed t-shirts (given an additional boost by having Julia Roberts as a fan), which have become one of the most widely copied fashion items in recent history. And when your work becomes the subject of mimicry you know it can only be due to two reasons: either you are exceptionally gifted or the others lack original imagination. Whatever the reason may be, the fact is that Custo Barcelona remains one of the most successful and immediately recognisable brands. His dissenters claim that he has gained an undeserved fame merely for printing some amusing images on a bunch of t-shirts. However, this is precisely the secret of his success. The millions of Custo fans adore the fact that a simple t-shirt can give their outfit a sporty look or an elegant twist. And this loyal following has given Custo free reign over his brand, charging exclusive designer prices for his creations and selling them at the city's high-end stores, including his own on Carrer Ferran, close to Plaa Sant Jaume. Another designer who is considered an icon of cool at the moment is Jordi Labanda, His illustrations, usually depicting ultra-chic men and women, have been displayed on just about every product on the market including folders, notebooks, wedding invitations, bags, t-shirts, water bottles, etc. As with Custo, opinions split into two camps when it comes to Labanda. Many people

think he is an over-hyped illustrator. Others find his work to be pleasing and inoffensive - the kind of imagery that attracts most people and can be used to promote just about anything. As far as design stores are concerned, the city is full of them. However, the top-of-the-line, high temple of design is without question the illustrious Vinon. Furniture, accessories and an infinite array of items are perfectly arranged throughout the three floors that make up the store, located on Passeig de Grcia. An added touch of class is provided by the fact that the space was once home to modernist painter Ramon Casas. Everything sold at Vinon has passed a rigorous selection process. So, if you want to know what is in or out and make sure that you are in the loop in terms of what is fashionable, take a good look at the Vinon window displays. For those who consider design the epitome of everything important in life, anything not sold at Vinon quite simply doesn't exist. FESTIVALS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY The festivals celebrated in a city tell you a lot about its way of life. Barcelona is a city that loves to celebrate, a fact made obvious by the almost infinite variety of cultural events organised throughout the year. The festival programming is diverse, including theatre, dance, music, cinema and video, but one thing is certain - Barcelona gives everyone something to celebrate. Cutting-edge music and multimedia art are celebrated at Snar and the Contemporary Music Festival. Other musical styles are not neglected either - the city organises yearly festivals focused entirely on guitar music, flamenco, opera, jazz and world music. Other art forms get their day in the spotlight during the International Festival of Visual Theatre and Puppetry or the local film festivals, L'Alternativa 2000, the International Independent Film Festival and MECAL, the city's tribute to the short film. Most of the festivals are privately organised and funded but receive a varying amount of public financing and support. However, the city, via the Barcelona Institute for Culture, also stages a number of events such as the BAM (a music festival that coincides with the Merc holiday) and the Barcelona Grec Summer Festival. The latter festival is probably the most important, cultural event taking place in the city during the summer and emphasizes the creative efforts of both local and international productions. Every corner of the city participates in the festival to give audiences a glimpse into the newest movements and most innovative trends taking place in contemporary theatre, dance and music.

Modernism in Barcelona.
Modernism wasn't just an artistic movement; it was also a way of thinking, a social approach and a political attitude. It spread into all facets of city life and therefore exercised an enormous influence on the second half of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century. At that time, Barcelona was already a city open to new ideas and the cultural movements taking place throughout Europe. In carving its European identity, Barcelona was also attempting to differentiate itself from the rest of Spain, which had stripped the region of most of its national and institutional rights after the war in 1714. Modernism was a fruit of this time, a period marked by intellectual, artistic and social upheaval, and the innovative and radically new movement inspired a generation of groundbreaking artists. This new movement found expression in all artistic areas, including sculpture, painting, literature, music, ornamentation and design. However, it was in the field of architecture that modernism reached its most complete and highest Did you know that... form of expression. Amongst the many followers and exponents of this The zero kilometre mark of the Modernist Route is located on movement, there are three names that Passeig de Grcia. This route have come to symbolise modernist makes its way through many Barcelona. different European cities,
identifying key buildings and monuments belonging to this artistic movement.

Antoni Gaud Antoni Gaud was one of the driving forces behind the modernist fervour that took hold of the city's architectural world. Gaud was born in Reus (Tarragona) but created most of his work in Barcelona, where he moved at age twenty to pursue a career in architecture. He made a name for himself with his unique and seemingly unlimited imagination and his peculiar and radical approach to architecture. However, he also had his fair share of critics in his time. One of his most acclaimed buildings, the Casa Mil, was the subject of much criticism and mockery. Its massive stone facade earned it the nickname La Pedrera (piedra means stone in Spanish). Gaud was often ahead of his time, and the only element banned from his work was the straight line. Instead, he opted for curved lines, vibrant colours, mythical creatures and an unbridled imagination that touched every corner of his work. Despite his radical architectural style, Gaud could always rely on the ecclesiastical sector, which provided him with significant commissions like the Sagrada Familia, and the city's bourgeoisie, which always supported his whimsical and fantastical architecture. The Casa Batll, the Casa Calvet and the Casa Mil are examples of residences that Gaud designed for some of the city's wealthiest families. But the greatest influence on Gaud's work was the industrialist Eusebi Gell, a personal friend and patron of the artist. He commissioned Gaud to build the Palau Gell and the Park Gell. The latter is a vast, open-air space that allows you to appreciate Gaud's incredible talent and visit his home, which is now a museum.

As it is often the case with creative geniuses, Gaud's death was as unusual as his life. Gaud died on the morning of June 10th, 1926. He was on his way to Sunday mass at the Sant Felip Neri Church when he was hit and killed by a tram. Llus Domnech i Montaner Domnech i Montaner was one of the most prolific architects in his day, dedicated to the creation of a modern and different architectural style. His buildings display Moorish influences in addition to the sinuous lines that came to characterise modernist architecture. One of the best examples of this stylistic fusion is the restaurant he built in the Ciutadela Park in 1888. The building, known as the Castle of the Three Dragons, now houses the Zoology Museum. He received first prize in the architectural competition organised by the city in 1906 for the Casa Lle Morera, located on Passeig de Grcia's Manzana de la Discordia. This city block is famous for the many modernist landmarks located along its length. However, his crowning achievements are without a doubt the Palau de la Msica Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau. The latter is considered one of the city's most impressive modernist complexes, and its detailed design and immense dimensions explain why it took the architect thirty years to complete the project. During those thirty years, Domnech i Montaner collaborated with sculptors like Eusebi Arnau and Pau Gargallo and painters like Francesc Labarta to achieve the hospital's intricate, ornate design.

K Els Quatre Gats Pere Romeo inaugurated his restaurant Els Quatre Gats on June 12th, 1897. He had been inspired by the Le Chat Noir in Paris, and the restaurant immediately stood out for being highly unusual. Its peculiar character bore a resemblance to traditional guesthouses and taverns as well as the elegant bars that had become wildly popular throughout Europe at the time. This symbol indicates that you are on the Modernist Route. You can safely assume that there is a landmark building worth visiting nearby. The restaurant quickly turned into a watering hole for the local, bohemian scene. Modernist circles and artists gathered here to exchange ideas and socialise. Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiol, Isaac Albniz and Antoni Gaud were all frequent guests at Els Quatre Gats. In addition to socialising, the groups also organised literary circles, gatherings and conferences and, in 1899, a very young Picasso held his first-ever exhibition at the restaurant. Els Quatre Gats is still here, serving both a spirited atmosphere as well as good Catalan cuisine at its location on Carrer Montsi.

Josep Puig i Cadafalch Considered the last representative of modernism and the first exponent of noucentismo, the artistic movement that followed the former, Puig i Cadafalch was known for more than his architectural innovation. He played an equally important role in Catalan politics during that time. His career can be divided into three different phases. In the first phase, he was inspired by Nordic styles, which is reflected in buildings such as the Casa Amatller. This enormous residence, located on Passeig de Grcia, recalls the typical, 18th century houses that lined the canals in Amsterdam. The second phase resulted in many of the residences the architect built for members of the bourgeoisie. Finally, the third phase reached its pinnacle with the 1929 International Exposition for which Puig i Cadafalch served as the head architect. The Casa de les Punxes, located in the Eixample, is one of the city's most spectacular buildings, built in a style that fuses Nordic influences with motifs from medieval castles. The house was built in 1905; shortly thereafter, Puig i Cadafalch completed his work on the Casaramona Factory. The factory was renovated with great care and accuracy and now houses the cultural centre CaixaForum. In its time, the factory received awards and was celebrated as one of the era's best, modernist structures, largely due to its seamless combination of monumental design and industrial function.

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1 Casa Batll 2 Manzana de la Discordia 3Casa Lle Morera 4 Parc Gell 5 Casa de les Punxes 6 La Pedrera 7 Farolas Paseo de Gracia 8 Casa Amatller 9 Parc Gell 10 Palau de la Msica 11 La Pedrera

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