Barcelona is proud to be a city with two distinct personalities, in Catalan and in Spanish despite previous efforts to eradicate the former language from Spanish consciousness. Barcelona is now proudly bilingual, and with its role as the capital of Catalonia it also holds the distinction of being the commercial and cultural heart of Spain.

The origins of Barcelona differ, but two versions of legends attempt to explain where the city came from. The first refer to Hercules as the city's founder and that it was subsequently rebuilt from ruins by Hamilcar Barca. The other legend attributes the origin of the city directly to Barca himself.

Whatever the origin of the city is, there is no denying that Barcelona is a city of contrast between tradition and modernity, which so far has learned to co-exist side by side. Barcelona is full of buildings displaying the abstract and sinuous forms of the European Art Nouveau, while industrial buildings speak of a more recent era of modernization and progress. Indeed, finding an industrial or commercial tower of glass and steel right next to a building built in the 1920s in the style of Gaudi and other modernists is not a rare sight, but rather the norm.

Today Barcelona is known for tradition and luxury more than anywhere else, thriving on a reputation as a great weekend destination for other Spaniards and foreigners alike. From architecture, the art of Picasso and Dali to the food, international cuisine that is not only commended by the best international chefs, but also a true feast even to the untrained palate, Barcelona is truly a cosmopolitan and modern city that is at the same time in touch with its rich past.