The region of Catalonia is in northeast Spain. The Pyrenees Mountains separate Catalonia from France and it also is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of Catalonia is Barcelona. The regions mild climate and beaches make it a popular tourist destination.

 

 

History

Catalonia was once a region of the crown of Aragon. The region was first referred to as Catalonia in the 12th century. However, the area had been inhabited years prior by the ancient Greeks. Catalonia was then taken over by the Carthaginians and eventually would become one of the first Spanish areas to be taken over by the Romans. The Moors would take Catalonia in 712 and it would be taken once again by Charlemagne towards the end of the 8th century.

During the 13th and 14th centuries the Catalonians became the dominant traders in the Mediterranean Sea. In the 1600s Catalonia revolted against Spain and came under French rule. In 1700 during the War of the Spanish Succession the Catalonians supported the Austrians while the rest of Spain supported the French. The Catalonians would surrender in 1714 and continue on to be one of Spain's most industrialized ports.

 

Art & Museums

The Picasso Museum is Catalonia's most famous museum. The museum which is located in Barcelona has over 3,500 pieces by Pablo Picasso. The mansion that once belonged to Salvador Dali and his wife is now a popular theater-museum in Catalonia. The museum can accommodate tour groups of up to eight guests at a time. Catalonian history buffs will want to check out the Museum of the History of Catalonia which is located in Barcelona.

 

Nightlife

Dinner is served between 9PM and 11PM so Catalonian nightlife does not really get started until 2AM. After dinner many tourists will sip a glass of wine at an open air cafe. Barcelona which is the main attraction of the Catalonia region has many nightclubs, bars and coffee shops. There is also a casino. There is usually something going on from about 2AM or 3AM to 6AM every day of the week. The region of Catalonia also has an abundance of gay bars and nightclubs.

 

How to get there

Visitors may fly into the Barcelona airport; el Prat or into the newly renovated Girona airport which is near Costa Brava. Buses and trains run frequently to Catalonia from either airport. Once inside Catalonia there are numerous bus services which service the inner city area.