Barcelona History Timeline 15th Century to 1859

The 15th Century brought with it……the bubonic plague and civil wars. These two factors devastated the population of Barcelona and saw a dark period in the history of the city. The plague alone cut the population to over half its previous number, from 50,000 to 20,000.1640-1652In this time, Castile, the former central kingdom of Spain, spawned the Segadors War, also known as the Catalan Revolt, to suppress the cities nationalism. Castile, was the power center at the time; it had expanded south, recapturing land from the Moors. Through marriage, annexation and assimilation, it grew to be the great power that it was. The word Castile gives name ‘Castilian’, the English word for the Spanish language spoken in Spain. For 12 years Barcelona resisted the forces of Castile, but eventually, in 1652, they were defeated. Catalunya succeeded in holding on to its autonomy but had to witness the dismemberment of its territories. This war gave name to the Catalan anthem, “Els Segadors”.In this time, northern Catalunya came under French rule.1701-1714 War of SuccessionIn 1701, upon the death of King Charles II, another war fizzled to life in Catalunya. Barcelona fought against France and Castile, but lost its war, losing its autonomy. Castila claimed most of the territories of Barcelona; Sardinia, Sicily, Naples and Mallorca. Catalan, as a language, was declared illegal, not only in public but in private also. Take a wander through the area of Born in Barcelona and you will find, by the Santa Maria del Mar church, the “ Fossar de les Morenes”, a torch which commemorates all Catalans who lost their lives during the War of Succession.Towards the end of the…...18th Century…...Barcelona became once again an important center, due to the industrial revolution, it’s position on the Mediterranean and the proximity of availability of lignite in the Bergueda, a county lying in the interior of Catalunya. Barcelona and Catalunya, as had occurred before in history, increased in power and prosperity.1814In this year, the first general strike in Barcelona took place, which accompanied bombings, riots, convent fires and general conflict.In 1848……the first railway route was built; from Barcelona to Mataro, another Catalonian city on the Costa Maresme. In 1850, railways began being built on a larger scale, due to certain laws being passed which made investment more attractive.In 1859……Barcelona was finally freed from it’s bounds of the city walls. The capital was now at liberty to expand; essential as it’s population was itself growing rapidly. The area of Gracia was already a thriving and independent town, with the only road connecting Barcelona and Gracia, being the boulevard which we now know as Passeig de Gracia.(Click on the following link to read more about Barcelona’s Gracia.)The land on either side of Passeig de Gracia was barren. In order to make use of it a competition was created. The barrio of Eixample was to be born, and the title of the best man for the job was given to Ildefons Cerda. And so Eixample came to be.This is just the middle section of the Barcelona History Timeline. Of course, Barcelona’s history encompasses so much more. Click the following link to read the whole history on “Barcelona History Timeline” at BarcelonaExplore.com.