Despite perhaps going slightly unnoticed by most visitors amid everything else the city has to offer, Barcelona’s history is full of fascinating tales and events, all enormously important to the country and the world. And the Catalan capital has played host to some of Europe’s most important historical moments since being founded as a city. Below are 7 of the most interesting facts about the history of Barcelona.
1. Barcelona history: the first train line in Spain
On 28 October 1848, the first train journey on the Iberian peninsula took place, lasting just 35 minutes on the line between Barcelona and Mataró. The route, which is still in use today, was just 29.1km long and linked the towns of Barcelona, Mataró, San Adrián de Besós and Badalona. The opening of the line was an undisputed success and contributed to Barcelona’s history and the economic development of the entire region.
2. How was Barcelona actually founded? Another interesting fact!
One of the most fascinating facts about Barcelona is how the city first came about. There are two competing theories to this day. The first claims that, 400 years before the founding of Rome, Hercules crossed the Mediterranean in search of the golden fleece and, because of a big storm in the area, had to divert to the Catalan coast, in this instance, making landfall near Montjuïc. He quickly settled in the area and thus began the history of Barcelona as he built an enormous sea defence wall.
On the other hand, another account claims that Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar Barca, founded the city in 230BC, naming the region ‘Barcino’ in honour of his family name. In any event, neither of these legends have any real historical basis and are simply the thoughts of 15th century medieval archaeologists…
3. Barcelona and Don Quixote
Another moment firmly marked in the Barcelona history books that few know about was when Miguel de Cervantes decided to set his protagonist’s last battle in the city, where the final six chapters of the famous novel take place. Barcelona was also the only city visited by Don Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho in the whole saga.
4. Barcelona history and Columbus
At Plaza del Portal de la Paz, you’ll find one of the most symbolic landmarks in the city, the Christopher Columbus Monument. One of the most interesting facts about Barcelona is that the Columbus statue doesn’t actually point towards America, as many people believe. To do so, the statue would have to be pointing down Las Ramblas, but when it was built, it was thought people wouldn’t understand why, so it was decided the statue should face the sea instead.
5. Barcelona’s very own Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most recognisable icons, but did you know it was actually made in three copies? The first is obviously the most famous, the one found on Liberty Island in New York City standing at 46 metres tall, while the second can be found in Paris at a slightly less imposing 11.5 metres.
One interesting fact about Barcelona is that it is home to the third and final statue, and while it may be the smallest of the three at just two metres tall, it’s still an impressive sight to behold. You can see the statue in the Arús Library and, unlike her two bigger sisters, on this particular example, the book she’s holding in her left hand doesn’t contain the same words as on the original (the date of American independence), but rather the words “freedom of the soul” engraved in Latin. A fitting tribute for a library that wanted to represent freedom of knowledge.
6. The hidden history of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia
It’s one of the true icons of the city and has become famous worldwide. Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia may now firmly be part of the history of the Catalan capital, but what many don’t realise is that Antonio Gaudí wasn’t actually the first architect to work on the basilica.
Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia was initially entrusted to an architect who offered to work on the project for free called Francisco de Paula del Villar. However, in 1883, just as work began, Francisco resigned due to differences with his advisor, the historian Joan Martorell. Following his departure, Joan recommended his most promising protégé to take over the reins: Antonio Gaudí.
7. The very first photograph of Spain
Another of the most important dates in the history of Barcelona is 10 November 1839. Ring any bells? On this day, specifically at Plaza de la Constitución in Barcelona, what’s believed to be the very first photograph taken in Spain was captured just in front of Casa Xifré and next to Casa Llotja. The event was of great significance at the time, as local newspapers were filled with eyewitness accounts.
In short, the history of Barcelona is full of forgotten secrets and interesting facts that have marked a variety of milestones over the years. From Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia to the first photograph taken in the country, the Catalan capital is one destination that isn’t without its place in the history books.
