Alpha Idiomas: Cultural Immersion: Barcelona (Spain)

▪ The country (Spain)

Flag of Spain - Read more

Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) and an intact Roman aqueduct.

Barcelona

Capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community of Spain, Barcelona is a multicultural meeting place. It’s also a Mediterranean port and commercial centre, is famed for the individuality, cultural interest and physical beauty. (Read more)

▪ Tourist spots

▪ Sagrada Família

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is a large unfinished Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. (360° view)

Architectural styles: Art Nouveau, Modernisme, Noucentisme, Spanish Gothic architecture (Read More)

▪ Montjuïc Castle

Montjuïc Castle is an old military fortress, with roots dating back from 1640, built on top of Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It currently serves as a Barcelona municipal facility. (Read More)

Check ou the Oficial Website

▪ Palau Nacional / Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

The Palau Nacional was the main site of the 1929 International Exhibition on the hill of Montjuïcin Barcelona. Since 1934 it has been home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia. (Read More)

▪ Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is a renowned building located in the center of Barcelona and is one of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces. A remodel of a previously built house, it was redesigned in 1904 by Gaudí and has been refurbished several times after that. (Read More)

▪ Cuisine

▪ Crema Catalana
It's a dish similar to crème brûlée, although the sugar is a recent innovation. Traditionally known as crema de Sant Josep, it was originally served on Saint Joseph's Day although nowadays it is consumed at all times of the year. (Check out the recipe)

▪ Escalivada / Escalibada
Escalivada is a traditional dish from Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and Aragón of smoky grilled vegetables. It typically consists of roasted eggplant and bell peppers with olive oil, and sometimes onion, tomato, minced garlic, and salt.
(Read More)

▪ Sangria
Sangria is an alcoholic beverage of Spanish and Portuguese origin. A punch, the sangria traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients such as orange juice or brandy. (Read More)

(Check out the recipe)

▪ Leche de Pantera
This is a very popular cocktail not just in Barcelona, but Spain as a whole. Made popular during the 1970s, its general form consists of a mixture of milk and liquor. However, it can be elaborated to include condensed milk and also ginger and other variants of the drink can even include an egg yolk and cinnamon. (Check out more traditional drinks)

★ More Catalan dishes here.

▪ Habits

Indigenous people of Barcelona are very gallant and very serious. They are open for communication and have a wonderful sense of humor. The locals are very friendly to visitors and will gladly help them in most difficult situations.

Barcelona from above

Spaniards have never been very punctual. This national trait is not a secret to anyone and so it is a typical reason for numerous jokes. Residents of Barcelona are accustomed to have a very late lunch, so local cafes start filling with visitors only after the noon. Dinners here are also fairly late, so many restaurants are open until midnight. (Read More)

▪ Bullfight

A very famous and important part of the Spain culture, the bullfight known as “La corrida” have been present in civilisations as far back the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Barcelona has staged its final bullfight after Catalonia became the first region to ban the traditional spectacle. (Read more)

▪ Cost of living

Barcelona can be a spensive place to live. Prices can vary a lot depending on where you look. If you’re careful enough with your spensives and don’t plan to party too hard , wich is rather expensive, the city can be a good choice. (Read more)

Source: www.numbeo.com

▪ Climate

Whit mild and relatively rainy winters and hot and sunny summers, Barcelona is a Mediterranean city. Because of the location on the east coast of Spain, the city has a warm temperature and subtropical climate. (Read more)

Source: www.weather2visit.com

▪ Folk Music
Folk music in Spain has a long and diverse history with influences from many cultural streams , when the Roman culture was dominant, it brought with it the music and ideas of Acient Greece, the reciting of epic poetry and folk music played an integral role. The tradictional music and dance can vary from region to region. (Read more)