Barcelona, Mediterranean port city in Catalonia, Spain.
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city in Catalonia, Spain, stretching along the coast between mountain slopes and the waterfront. The center follows a regular street grid cut through by wide avenues and a diagonal thoroughfare that crosses from southwest to northeast.
Romans founded a settlement called Barcino during the first century before Christ, raising walls and a temple on the hill of Mont Taber. The city began expanding beyond its old limits during the 19th century, when medieval fortifications were demolished to make room for growth.
On Sunday mornings, families gather in public squares to dance the sardana in slow circles, while café terraces stay busy late into the evening. Neighborhood markets like La Boqueria remain daily meeting places where locals shop for fresh produce and pause to chat with vendors.
The metro network connects all districts through 12 lines running from 5 AM until midnight, with extended service until 2 AM on weekends. Most places of interest lie within the center or are easily reached by public transport from any neighborhood.
The Eixample neighborhood shows a precise octagonal block layout designed by Ildefons Cerdà in 1859 to allow better sunlight and airflow through the streets. Some block corners were chamfered to create wider intersections, where small squares or open-air cafés often appear today.
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