Tourism in Catalonia, Spain

Introduction

On the north, in the Pyrenees Mountains, Catalonia is bordered by the countries of Andorra and France. Catalonia borders on the east with the Mediterranean Sea and on the south with the region of Valencia. It is also bordered by Aragon on the east. In its history, Catalonia has continually struggled for greater independence and autonomy from Spain. More than one rebellion has taken place in its attempts to become fully independent. Today, not many Catalonians realistically believe in full independence, but the land continues to lobby for increased independence within Spain.

History - In the times of the Greeks and the Romans, these people traded along this section of the Mediterranean shoreline. In the middle ages the costal trade became established and started to rival Venice and Genoa in their power. Catalan art and literature also flourished in this period. Catalonia finally rose up to protest its alliance with Aragon in 1461, however the rebellion was crushed. The union of Aragon and Castile that followed had the effect of sidelining Catalonia. Trade routes were relocated, income from commerce was greatly reduced, plus widespread food shortages and virulent epidemics were all factors in the kingdom's decline. However, the Catalonian region continued to strive for its independence. The passion for autonomy fired up again during the Thirty Years War in 1618–48, and then found its expression in supporting Archduke Charles against Philip V in the War of the Spanish Succession. As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, it was a hotbed of socialist sentiments. In 1931, the Catalans established a separate government, which successfully petitioned for autonomy from the Spanish Cortes a year later. A revolution for autonomy and independence failed two years later, and then autonomy was restored two years after that. Catalonia once more found itself on the losing side in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–39, and when Franco's forces defeated the Republicans, the region was punished by the severe suppression of its beloved Catalan language. It was reinstated in 1978, and now the Catalan language, along with Castilian or Spanish, is recognized as an official language of the region. In 1980, the first parliament was elected as an independent area. Catalan nationalists had gained a measure of real power in both Catalonian and Spanish national politics by the mid-1990s.

Catalonia is made up of the provinces Girona, Barcelona, Tarragona and Lleida, each one with a capital city of the same name.

The northern province of Girona (also called Gerona) is located on the Onyar River. This ancient town existed even before the Romans, and still has a medieval ambiance. The Moors controled Girona from 714 until 797. In 1808 and 1809, the town fought back invasion attempts by Napoleon's army.

Today chemical production, paper making, textiles and machinery are some of the industries. Appealing beaches and bays are located near the city and along the coast in the area of Begur and Palafrugell. Or one may watch the sunrise from the Cap de Crues, the easternmost spot in Spain. A little further south, the white houses of the charming town of Cadaques wrap around a rocky bay. Later in life, the artist Salvador Dali lived in the nearby village of Port Lligat where he had spent the holidays in his youth. In the surroundings of the locality, we can find rugged shorelines and odd formations of rocks, similar to the desolate landscapes that we found later in his paintings.Many examples of Dali's works can be viewed at the Teatre-Musea Dali in the town of Figueres.

You can walk or hike in the Pyrenees, in the north of the province, the Parc Nacional d'Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici being one of the most attractive areas. Through the snowy winter months, there are many ski stations open for those eager to take to the slopes.

Archeological findings suggest the area was settled as far back as the 15th century BC, but the modern city of Barcelona dates back its founding by the mighty Carthaginian family of Barca. The city prospered while under the Romans and Visigoths. In the 8th century the city fell to the Moors. In 801 Charlemagne won it and included it in the Spanish March.

Under the mighty counts of Barcelona, the March won its independence during the ninth and tenth centuries, as they took south-lying land held by the Moors and won all of Catalonia. The two regions were united in 1137 when Count Raymond Berengar IV wed the King of Aragon's daughter. Barcelona became the capital, and it continued to be the capital in the future for the kings of Spain. Good leadership enabled Barcelona to increase trade in the Mediterranean area. Due to the flourishing cloth industry, it evolved into a powerful financial sector. Approximately 1400 was the peak in its riches; a decline followed resulting in the collapse of the rest of Catalonia.

There were three different times that the French occupied the city, from 1640-52, 1715 and 1808-14. The focus of the Catalan separatist movement was Barcelona, the site of many rebellions. From 1640 until 1652, there was a revolt against Philip IV of Spain. By 1900, it had also become the focus in Spain of socialism and other radical political philosophies. Barcelona was the capital of Catalonia and seat of the autonomous government of the region from 1932 until 1939. Barcelona was the seat of the Spanish Loyalist government in the civil war, until early 1939 when it was defeated by Franco's army. During the 50's, several demonstrations happened in Barcelona against Franco's dictatorship.

The city of Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the cultural hub of the country. It is also the capital of Catalonia and the most populated town. Here resides more than one third of the region´s population. Barcelona is home to Spain's most important commercial centre with international banking and finance sectors and also includes the largest port in Spain. It is a seat of industry, including aircraft, automotive, electrical equipment, foundries, machinery and textile manufacturing. Wide streets, bustling traffic, and beautiful buildings help to showcase this thoroughly modern city. By contrast, the old city shows narrow streets from the Roman age. Among the main buildings we can find the cathedral, many churches, the city hall and the Lonja or auction exchange building from the middle ages. Barcelona is a great destination for fine art aficionados; it is home to the Contemporary Art Museum, the Picasso Museum, the Fine Arts Museum of Catalonia, and a well-reputed opera house. Barcelona was host to the 1992 summer Olympic Games.

Most of the rest of the province of Barcelona is covered by hills and mountains. Cereals and olives are grown in the highly fertile plains of Barcelona. A full third of Spanish wine is from Catalonia. The rivers Ebro, Cinca, and Segre are a source of hydroelectricity that powers most of the area. In nearly 400 kilometers of coastline, there are many prime harbors and docks, and vigorous fishing and tourism industries. The vineyards of the Penedes area are located to the west of Barcelona. You will see the 1236 meter high mountain of Montserrat, from whose peak the view reaches northward to the Pyrenees and southward to Mallorca in the Balearic Islands.

Tarragona is located where the Francola River empties into the Mediterranean. Previously known as Tarraco, in 218 BC it was overtaken by Roman forces. Defenses against an attack by the Carthaginians were built. The remnants of walls and an aqueduct built by the Romans can still be seen. The 5th and 8th centuries saw collapses to the Visigoths and the Moors respectively. The Christians dominated it again in the 12th century, only later to have its trade captured by the regions of Barcelona and Valencia, which caused it to fall into decline. In 1903 Carthusian monks settled in the city after they had been expelled from La Grande Chartreuse in France. The monks’ famous liqueur continues to be produced in the city. Today it is major port and center of commerce. Flour mills, wine production, exports and an oil refinery are some of the industries in the area. The nearby Priorat region is known for making many of the country's finest and most delicious wines.

Located on the river Segre is the city of Lleida, previously known as Llerda. In 49 BC, Julius Caesar defeated the generals of Pompey here. Lleida fell in 714 when the Moorish army invaded the town from the south. The Christian forces liberated it in 1149. Lleida has always been a strategic and fortified city. It became a key point in the defense of Barcelona in the Spanish Civil War. Standing ground for nine painful months, it finally fell to the forces of Franco in April of 1938. The castle dominates the old town. Inside we find the beautiful cathedral of Romanesque style. Lleida is located in an agricultural center abundant with lush farming. Lleida is the center of a predominantly agricultural area, due to its fertile farmlands.

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