Under Franco's regime, it was declared as gospel truth that Madrid and Old Castile were the spiritual and cultural heartland of Spain, and peripheral cities and cultures of the Iberian peninsula must bow to that truth. Barcelona, however--la gran encisera, "the great enchantress"--always saw things rather differently. The earliest area of Spain to be colonised by the Romans, the capital of Catalonia is fiercely independent, somehow Spanish and not-Spanish, and most mysteriously of all, has been at the forefront of modernity, especially modern art and architecture, ahead of any other European city you could name with the possible exception of Paris. It is this Barcelona that fascinates Robert Hughes most, and he in turn fascinates us with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the place. He thrillingly evokes the cosmopolitanism and openness of Barcelona--qualities, he says, that derive inevitably from its status as a great Mediterranean port. And he is brilliant on perhaps the most exciting modern architect of all, Antoni Gaudi, the creator of the (still unfinished) Church of La Sagrada Familia, now as much an icon of the city as the Opera House in Sydney or the Statue of Liberty in New York. -- Christopher Hart --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Thank you for this book who arrived today :o)

I love history, so this was quite interesting book :o) Next to Nisku, who is visiting in Barcelona flew times. Enjoy!

How nice of you, Alejanda! Yes, I have visited Barcelona a couple of times and enjoyed the city a lot.

I agree with Alejanda, it’s more like history book than travel, but I enjoyed it anyway. The Barcelona city is one I really love, it was interesting to get to know it this way. I didn't read it through but bits from here and there. The book made me want to travel to Barcelona again.

Thanks for passing this on to me, Alejanda. I'm done now, and ready to release this book in search for other readers!

During Kierrätystehdas recycling event on 7th and 8th May 2011
open 10 am to 5 pm

The BookCrossing stand is located near the stage

I will started today :)