My Barcelona

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Barcelona's history

Drawing on these milestones, we propose a historical journey through the capital of Catalonia, from its Roman origins to the metropolis it is today. A story to discover how trade, industry, the Cerdà Plan, 22@ and major events have shaped today’s Barcelona, from sea to mountains and from river to river.

Roman Barcelona

With the end of the Pax Romana, the walls had to be reinforced.

Engraving of Plaça Nova and one of the ancient gates of Barcelona, in black and white. The square is dominated by a large fortified structure with cylindrical towers and stone walls of the city ramparts. There is an open-air market with awnings and stalls, surrounded by people buying, selling, or chatting. Figures in period clothing can be seen, along with animals such as dogs and horses, and tall, narrow buildings enclosing the space on the sides.

The city of Barcino, today Barcelona, was founded around 10 BC as a Roman colony. From the small walled settlement around Mount Tàber, the surrounding territory between the Besòs and Llobregat rivers was administered.

The origins of Barcelona: from Barkeno to Barcino

In Iberian times, the main settlement in the area was Barkeno. The Roman colony of Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino was founded by the Emperor Octavian Augustus around 10 BC. Its inhabitants were engaged in wine production, maritime trade and craft production.

The city was enclosed by an octagonal wall with four gates. By the end of the 3rd century, as the Pax Romana came to an end, this enclosure was strengthened with a second line of fortifications comprising 76 towers. Other public works from this early phase are also known, including an aqueduct that supplied water to the city and its surroundings, and the Temple of Augustus, which stood over the forum.

As in all Roman cities, Barcino was organised around two main streets that intersected at its centre: the decumanus maximus and the cardo maximus. The forum formed the core of civic life, bringing together administrative, political, religious and commercial activity. Recent archaeological findings, dated 2026, have led historians to revise earlier interpretations. It had long been thought to run parallel to the sea, but it is now believed to have been aligned from sea to mountains. Beyond the city walls, the surrounding land was dotted with villas that supplied the city and supported its trade.

In sepia tones, an image of Plaça del Rei in Barcelona. In the background, the entrance arches of the Saló del Tinell can be seen, and to the right rises the façade of the Chapel of Saint Agatha with large pointed-arch windows and solid walls, with a Roman column in front. In the foreground, there is an ornamental carved stone fountain and a group of people gathered in the street, dressed in period clothing, observing or participating in an everyday scene.

One of the columns of the Roman temple, relocated for ornamental purposes, in Plaça del Rei. 19th century. Unknown author. Via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

The Consell de Cent (Council of One Hundred) and Gothic art

The Drassanes Reials, a notable example of Catalan civil Gothic architecture.

Black and white photograph of the Drassanes Reials de Barcelona. A large vaulted hall with a sequence of semicircular stone arches repeating rhythmically into the distance, creating a strong sense of depth and symmetry. The roof is made of wood with visible beams, resting on the arches. On both sides there are solid stone walls with lateral openings. The floor is compacted earth or simple paving, and the space appears almost empty, with a few scattered elements. At the far end, an opening lets in exterior light, creating a focal point and closing the perspective.

In the Middle Ages, Barcelona gained a degree of political autonomy and saw the emergence of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, examples of which can still be seen today.

Medieval Barcelona at its peak

Following the dynastic union of the County of Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon in the 12th century, the Crown of Aragon came into being. Barcelona’s political role, combined with its position in Mediterranean trade, made it one of the leading economic centres of the Mediterranean. In 1249, it established its first system of municipal self-government, the Consell de Cent. It later became the seat of the Diputació del General, which would eventually evolve into the Generalitat Government of Catalonia.

Economic growth drove urban expansion and the spread of convents, churches, noble residences, hospitals and Gothic buildings. The Jewish quarter became too small, leading to the creation of a second Jewish district outside the walls. Romanesque forms gradually gave way to the Gothic style. The 13th century saw the construction of the chapel of Santa Llúcia, while the 14th century brought major works such as the Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Llotja de Mar, the chapel of Santa Àgata and the Saló del Tinell in the Palau Reial Major.

At the end of the 14th century, a new defensive wall was built around the city. Work also began on the Drassanes Reials, the royal shipyards, a notable example of Catalan civil Gothic architecture that now houses the Barcelona Maritime Museum. Towards the end of the 15th century, a breakwater was constructed, creating an artificial harbour that would later become the Port Vell.

In black and white, interior of the Saló de Cent. Two stone arches divide the ceiling of the hall, from which wrought iron lamps hang. Inside, aligned wooden benches are arranged, and at the back there are two doors on the sides and a rose window in the center of the wall. Below, there is a painting with a framed portrait.

Saló de Cent, seat of municipal power for centuries and a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture. Unknown author. 'Barcelona artística e industrial', 1916. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Black and white photograph of the Gothic cloister of the Monastery of Pedralbes, with a two-level gallery formed by pointed arches supported by slender columns. The walls are made of stone and the whole displays great regularity and elegance. At the center of the courtyard there is a circular stone fountain with a sculpture of an angel on top. In the foreground, ceramic jars can be seen placed on a low wall. In the lower gallery, some people walk or sit.

Cloister of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes.

From the Middle Ages to the indiana textile factories

The indiana factories would go on to shape the industrial Barcelona of the 19th century.

Genre scene painting with several characters in an interior. On the left, two men in popular clothing observe the situation, while in the center there is a seated woman wearing a veil, looking at a piece of fabric, surrounded by figures interacting with her, such as the vendor behind the counter. In the background, another figure handles a roll of fabric. On the right, a seated woman in traditional clothing receives the attention of a child who points at her with an animated gesture. The scene is full of expressions and gestures that suggest an everyday situation inside a calico fabric shop.

Although defeated and subject to political repression, 18th-century Barcelona experienced significant economic growth driven by the textile industry and manufacturing.

Engraving by Alfred Guesdon of Barcelona in 1850. A view of the city from an elevated point. In the foreground, there is a large square with institutional buildings and open spaces, while on the left the harbor is full of moored boats. The city spreads out in a dense layout of low buildings, with several churches and towers rising above them. In the background, Montjuïc mountain stands out, with winding paths and little vegetation. Columns of smoke can be seen scattered across the city, indicating industrial activity. The color palette is soft, with pastel tones.

“View of the port, city and growing industry of Barcelona in 1850”. Alfred Guesdon, Barcelona, 1850. Via Wikimedia Commons.

From decline to an industrial city

With the marriage in 1469 of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, Barcelona ceased to be a royal seat and lost its political prominence. The Catholic Monarchs introduced the Inquisition, prompting the departure of converted Jews from the city. During the Counter Reformation, new religious buildings were constructed, including the church of Betlem.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the War of the Spanish Succession pitted supporters of Archduke Charles of Austria against those of Philip of Bourbon. Barcelona was defeated by Bourbon forces in 1714. The Nova Planta decrees, which imposed a new centralised system of government, abolished the Generalitat and the Consell de Cent, and the Ribera district was demolished to make way for the Ciutadella fortress, which served both to defend and to control the city.

Even so, these political changes did not prevent a major economic shift driven by the rise of indiana textile factories (linked to Catalans who made their fortunes in the Americas and later returned). A manufacturing city began to take shape within the old walls. In districts such as Sant Pere and the Raval, a type of industrial building known as a casa fàbrica (factory house) appeared. These indiana factories would go on to shape the industrial Barcelona of the 19th century, one of the city’s defining features.

Cerdà’s Eixample and the rise of Greater Barcelona

The city’s expansion was completed through the annexation of the municipalities of the Barcelona plain.

Historical urban view of a wide, tree-lined street in Barcelona, with a tram line running through the center. On both sides there are rows of trees separating the roadway from the buildings, creating an orderly promenade. In the background stands a church with a simple façade and central doorway, while to the right rises an institutional building with a tower. A few pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages can be seen, and in the center an electric tram in motion. In the distance, mountains close the scene.

The emergence of Greater Barcelona belongs to the modern period, when the city had already outgrown its walls and hygienist ideas were gaining influence across Europe.

Historical black-and-white photograph of Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya full of people walking and gathering in groups, with gardens and orderly paths in the foreground. The space is urbanized with young trees and green areas, and crossed by pedestrian walkways. In the background, a set of iconic buildings stands out: in the center, a structure with a dome and ornate façade; on the left, a building with the sign “GRESHAM”; and on the right, institutional buildings with towers and pointed roofs. The scene shows a lively and social atmosphere, typical of a central public space in the early 20th century.

Plaça de Catalunya in 1900. In the background, the former Hotel Colón and Casa Pascual i Pons. Joaquim Morelló, Barcelona, 1900. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Historical photograph of a large group of men gathered in front of a commercial establishment. They all wear long coats, formal suits, and period hats, looking toward the camera with serious or curious expressions. They stand behind a wooden fence with potted plants at its base. At the center stands a technical device mounted on a support, one of the first electric traffic lights in Barcelona, whose inauguration is the focus of the event. In the background, the shop façade can be seen with signs reading “COMESTIBLES FINOS” and “AGUA FARGAS,” as well as display windows with products.

Francesc Macià, former president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, inaugurates Barcelona’s first traffic light. Dominguez Martí

Plan of the Pla Cerdà. The old city is shown on the left, with an irregular and dense street layout, contrasting with the new orthogonal grid of the Eixample that extends to the right and inland. The plan includes wider main avenues, highlighted diagonal streets, and designated spaces for public facilities. At the bottom, “Mar Mediterráneo” is written, indicating the coastline, with the harbor drawn in. Decorative elements and coats of arms appear at the top, along with annotations and legends typical of a 19th-century urban plan. The paper is yellowed.

The Pla Cerdà. In light colour, the projected Eixample. In dark colour, Barcelona, the surrounding towns and the other existing buildings. Ildefons Cerdà, "Plan of Barcelona", 1859. Via Wikimedia Commons.

From walled city to open city

In the first half of the 19th century, liberal reforms and the disentailment of church property began to reshape Barcelona’s urban landscape. In the second half of the century, following the end of the First Republic and the Bourbon Restoration, the demolition of the city walls marked the end of the city as an enclosed space and opened the way for expansion and modernisation. Industry had become mechanised, and new urban demands were beginning to take shape.

The engineer Ildefons Cerdà then proposed the Cerdà Plan (1860), an urban scheme centred on the city’s expansion (eixample in Catalan). This gave the Eixample its name, which would later become one of the city’s ten districts, defined by its grid layout, octagonal blocks of uniform height and chamfered corners.

Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city’s expansion was completed through the annexation of eight municipalities on the Barcelona plain: Santa Maria de Sants, Les Corts, Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, Gràcia, Sant Andreu de Palomar, Sant Martí de Provençals, Horta and Sarrià. A larger metropolitan city began to take shape, laying the foundations for what would later become metropolitan Barcelona.

Modernisme and international recognition

A key moment was the Universal Exposition of 1888.

Sepia-toned historical photograph of the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, a large monumental brick structure with a richly decorated central arch. The arch is flanked by towers with ornate domes and features sculpted reliefs at the top depicting human figures. Beneath the arch, several people dressed in period clothing walk or pause, while in the background a tree-lined promenade extends, creating a deep perspective. A carriage can also be seen in the center. The scene dates to the late 19th century, in the context of the Barcelona Universal Exposition 1888, conveying a lively urban atmosphere.

In Barcelona, Modernisme is most visible in architecture, which produced a wide range of distinctive works and figures, including Antoni Gaudí, now recognised internationally.

Black and white photograph of the Sagrada Família under construction, Sagrada Família, seen from a park with trees and open paths in the foreground. Several slender towers rise with decorative elements at the top, still surrounded by construction structures and a crane visible in the background. In the foreground, three men walk together along the path, while other people move or pause around the area. The scene conveys a calm, everyday atmosphere, contrasting the open park space with the monumental scale of the temple under construction.

In black and white, a wide avenue in Barcelona with a tree-lined central promenade and residential buildings on both sides. The leafless trees suggest a winter scene. On the right stands Casa Fuster, Casa Fuster, with its ornate façade, decorative balconies, and large openings, contrasting with the more austere surrounding buildings. In the center of the promenade, pedestrians are walking, while trams and some horse-drawn carriages move along the roadway. The scene depicts an active city, with everyday life on the streets and a composition that opens toward the background, where the outline of mountains can be seen.

Gràcia Gardens at the beginning of the 20th century. In the background, the Modernist Casa Fuster.

Barcelona, capital of Modernisme

The rise of Greater Barcelona as a modern metropolis coincided with the emergence of an artistic movement known as Modernisme. Although it extended across all artistic fields, architecture stands out in particular, with leading figures such as Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Antoni Gaudí and his collaborator Josep Maria Jujol.

Barcelona’s modernista architecture engages with European Art Nouveau, but its intention to remain rooted in local traditions while expressing a broader cosmopolitan outlook means it does not follow a single linear trajectory, giving it a distinct character.

A key moment in this period was the Universal Exposition of 1888, when Barcelona presented itself to the world as a changing city. The event took place in the Ciutadella park, formerly the site of the Bourbon fortress, where the Arc de Triomf was built. With the same aim of asserting an international presence, the International Exposition of 1929 was held on Montjuïc. It came in the wake of the Tragic Week and during the period of the Commonwealth of Catalonia and saw the construction of the German Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, a landmark of modern architecture.

From the Olympic Games to the 22@ district

The Barcelona Model was widely praised and received international awards.

The Olympic Games marked the emergence of the Barcelona ’92 brand and set in motion a process of urban change that would lead towards the Fòrum Universal de les Cultures.

From Olympic host city to global metropolis

Emerging from the final years of the Franco regime, Barcelona’s urban planning and architecture entered a new phase that, as in the cases of the 1888 and 1929 Expositions, was closely linked to major cultural and sporting events.

In 1986, six years after the establishment of democratic municipal government, Barcelona was selected to host the 1992 Olympic Games. This prompted a series of projects aimed at reconnecting the city with the sea, including the regeneration of its industrial coastline and the development of the Vila Olímpica and the Port Olímpic in Poblenou. At the same time, major infrastructure projects were carried out, such as the ring roads and the expansion of the metro network, while Montjuïc was further developed as a sporting area with the Estadi Olímpic and the Palau Sant Jordi. The Barcelona Model was widely praised and received international awards.

In a similar vein, the Fòrum Universal de les Cultures in 2004 reshaped the northern part of the city, introducing new public spaces and facilities such as the International Convention Centre, the photovoltaic pergola, the Edifici Fòrum and the Torre Glòries, inaugurated in 2005 as part of the broader 22@ district. This area reflects an ongoing phase in the city’s development, combining technological innovation and sustainability.

View of Parc de les Glòries, Parc de les Glòries, with green areas and pathways, where a person sits on a bench under the trees. In the middle ground there is a modern pergola with white columns and a light roof. In the background rises the Torre Glòries, Torre Glòries, a tall cylindrical building with a glass façade that stands out over the urban surroundings. The scene depicts a calm, contemporary space, with vegetation and modern architecture coexisting in a sunny atmosphere.