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Chronology Barcelona
Some tourists are interested in Barcelona's sunny beaches and intense nightlife, other in its rich culture and history. Neither will regret visiting this truly magical place.
| Early history |
| 3rd Century BC |
According to a legend, the city is founded by Hercules in place of the contemporary Barcelona. The city is subsequently rebuilt by the father of Hannibal and renamed Barcino. |
| 250 |
The city builds a set of solid fortified walls around its vaults to prevent the raids of the neighbouring Germanic tribes. |
| 259 |
First Christian communities arrive in the city. The Diocese of Tarraco is established later that year. |
| 313 |
The Edict of Milan grants greater freedom to Christians and puts an end to their persecution. This significantly increases the number of Christians living in Barcino. |
| 374 |
The role of Barcino is recognised at the Synod of Sofia when Pretextat, the first recorded bishop of Tarraco is invited to represent the city.
|
| 410-414 |
The city is conquered by the Germanic tribe of Visigoths. This brings the period of a relative prosperity to an end. |
| 415 |
Barcelona witnesses the killing of Ataulf, the king of Visigoths, by his own troops. |
| 417 |
Walia, a commander of the Visigoths, establishes the capital of his kingdom at Tolosa, not Borcino. |
| 507 |
After the Battle of Vouille, Borcino becomes the capital of the Visigoths kingdom, replacing Tolosa as the most influential city in the region.
|
| 717 |
The city is conquered by the Moors, a Muslim tribe that managed to force the Visigoths out of the Spanish territory. The city surrendered to avoid destruction. |
| 801 |
The city is freed form the rule of the Moors and conquered by the Frankish prince, Louis the Pious. He makes Barcelona (a new name of the city) the seat of Carolingian Spanish Marches.
|
| 878 |
The Count of Barcelona, Wilfred, is appointed at the Assembly of Troys by the Carolingian authorities. |
| 897 |
After Wilfred's death, his son Wilfred II Borrell takes over the rule of the city and becomes the last count of Barcelona to remain loyal to the Carolingian court. |
| 11th Century |
Barcelona conquers Cordoba and becomes the most powerful city in the region. The surrounding counties of Catalan nations unite under the leadership of the city. |
| 12-17th Century |
| 1137 |
Ramon Berenguer IV, the Count of Barcelona, inherits the crown of Aragon. The economy of the city in this period is trade oriented. |
| 1169 |
The city modernizes its fortifications, guarding the agricultural and commercial areas of the city with separate sets of walls. |
| 1300s |
Intense influx of merchants into Barcelona, which boosts the economy of the city even more. New streets and courters are constructed. Many of them bear names that bare information about the types of merchants living nearby. One such street is Flassaders for example, which translates into 'makers of blankets'. |
| 1469 |
Marriage between Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon unites the two royal families but the centre of the kingdom's political power moves from Barcelona to Madrid. |
| 15th Century |
The population of Barcelona is decimated by the bubonic plague and numerous civil wars. Nearly 30,000 people perish. The city witnesses one of its darkest periods. |
| 1640-1652 |
Barcelona is invaded by the kingdom of Castile, which had decided to crush Catalonia's independence. The siege lasts 12 years until Barcelona finally gives in. This outcome severely curbs Barcelona's international influence. |
| 18-19th Century |
| 1701-1714 |
Barcelona gets involved in the War of the Spanish Succession, which ultimately led to the city's defeat by Castilian troops. The loss brings about severe repercussions for Barcelona: the city loses its political autonomy and its most precious territories. |
| 1715 |
Despite the defeat and strong repercussions, Barcelona begins to rebuild its authority. The city is renovated and undergoes the process of rapid industrialization.
|
| 1814 |
The first workers' strike takes place in Barcelona, resulting in riots and numerous causalities. |
| 1848 |
Barcelona receives its first railway connection. This significantly improves the economic situation of the city as new markets emerge.
|
| 1854 |
The city begins a huge urban development plan. This process is accompanied by a rapid population boom. |
| 1888 |
Barcelona is the host of the Universal Exposition Fair and becomes a renowned industrial and tourist centre. |
| 1897 |
The city absorbs six surrounding municipalities and the district of Eixample. |
| Late 19th Century |
The Spanish avant-garde movement is born in Barcelona. The city becomes a hub of many renowned artists, for example Antoni Gaudi or Ramon Casas. |
| 20th-21st Century |
| 1924 |
The metro is opened. |
| 1929 |
A second major international exhibition is organized in Barcelona. |
| 1936 |
The Olympic Stadium is built in Barcelona.
|
| July 1936 |
A civil war in Spain is sparked by the insurrection of the Franquist army. |
| 1939 |
Barcelona is bombarded a few times and finally gives in to the Franquist forces. |
| 1940-1970 |
During the post-war period, Barcelona regains its economic strength, welcoming migrants from all over the country, who come to the city in search of a job. |
| 1970 |
The population of Barcelona is about 1,557,000. |
| 1975 |
The dictator General Franco dies. This leads to a rapid democratization of Spain. Barcelona emerges as the new capital of Catalonia. |
| 1977 |
Massive peaceful demonstrations in Barcelona call for restoring Catalan autonomy. |
| 1992 |
Barcelona hosts the Summer Olympic Games with great success. Now it comes across not as an industrial but rather a modern and stylish city. |
| 2001 |
A new wave of immigration moves to Barcelona after a slight decline in the population at the end of the 20th Century. |