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Barcelona with history

Resurgence in a time of war

At the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, Barcelona continued to be a dynamic city linked to other parts of the world but it suffered some long sieges during some protracted wars that left deep scars. However, thanks to the fighting spirit of its inhabitants, it enjoyed a resurgence at the end of the 18th century as the driving force of an industrial development that took root in the course of the 19th century.

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  • Born Centre Cultural

    One of Europe's biggest urban archaeological sites, covering 8,000 m2, preserves the part of the Ribera neighbourhood that was demolished following the defeat in the War of Succession.

  • The Casa Barceloneta 1761

    In 1753, work started on building the baroque neighbourhood of Barceloneta, near the new port. CB-1761, a house from that time that has been restored and opened to the public, is an example of the original buildings.

  • Universal Exposition of 1888

    The Universal Exposition held in Barcelona in 1888, took place at the new Parc de la Ciutadella, and the main entrance was through the Arc de Triomf.

  • La Fabra i Coats

    Fabra i Coats, a factory dating from the 19th century, is the best place to discover the city's industrial model of that time. The factory site has now been restored and currently hosts a number of cultural and educational projects.

  • Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

    The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) houses Renaissance, Baroque and Modern Art collections that allow visitors to discover the evolution of Catalan and European art.

  • Castell de Montjuïc

    Montjuïc Castle, an old military fortress, is today a municipal facility devoted to preserving the city's historical memory. It is surrounded by gardens and stands at the top of Montjuïc, making it an impressive viewpoint as well.

  • Palau de la Virreina

    At the end of the 18th century, the former viceroy of Peru returned to Barcelona and built the Vicereine's Palace, one of the city's outstanding examples of civil baroque. Today it houses the Centre de la Imatge.

  • El Museu d’Història de Catalunya

    Housed in the Palau del Mar, the Museu d’Història de Catalunya (MHC - Museum of History of Catalonia) invites you to take a walk through the history of Catalan society from prehistoric times to the present day, to get a better understanding of Barcelona's history as the capital of a historic nation.