Catalonia

Location

It is in the north-east of Spain. It is divided into four provinces, which have 947 towns.

History

We know that the history of Catalonia starts with Guifré el Pilós. When he was injured during a battle, he put hisfingers in his wound then he drew four lines on a shield, with his blood. Those four lines now form our catalan flag.

History

Then, Catalonia was unified with the crown of Aragon.

The Catalan kings expanded their territory across theMediterranean coast and took control of Mallorca, Valencia,

Sicily, Corsica, Sardignia and Naples.

History

In 1714, Barcelona lost a war against Spain, and its rights wereabolished in the “Decret de Nova Planta”.

At the end of the XIX century, Catalan people lived a golden era because their councils started working again.

But there was a civil war in the XXth Century (1936-1939), with a long, dark period under Francisco Franco, who prohibited speakingCatalan, so this was another difficult age.

History

Democracy came to Catalonia again in 1977, withJosep Tarradellas as our President.

The president of Catalonia today is Artur Mas.

FlagsFlag of Barcelona

This is the official flag of Barcelona. Ithas represented the city since 1906.

FlagsCatalan flag “Senyera”

This flag is the official Catalan flag, whichhas represented the nation (Catalonia) since

1187.

FlagsFlag for Independence “Estelada”

A lot of Catalan people aren’t happy withCatalonia being a part of Spain. They feel

different and they want to be a new country.

FlagsThe Reason for

Separatism

Historically, there are three regions whithin Spain, Catalonia, Euskadi and Galicia, which were different

kingdoms with different languages too. Euskadi was added to Castilla (future Spain) in 1035, Galicia

in 1230, and Catalonia finally in 1479.

Galicia Catalonia

Euskadi

FlagsSpanish Flag

This is the official Spanish flag, whichhas represented the country since 1978.

Symbols

“Barretina” is our typical hat and has beenused in Catalonia since the XVII century. Now it is worn in folk acts. It can be redor purple.

“Barretina”

Symbols

“Ase” means “donkey”, and it is one of our symbols. Spanishpeople also have an animal as a symbol, but it is the bull.

“Ase català”

SymbolsEl “Caganer”

One of our most popular traditions from theXVII and XVIII centuries. Littlechildren always put it in their Nativity scenes, and it is always present in every Catalan home.

LandscapesPyrenees

The Pyrenees is a big range of mountains, located in the north of Spain, they are the natural border

between Catalonia (Spain) and France.

LandscapesThe Ebro River

The Ebro is the largest river by water volume and thesecond longest river in Spain.

LandscapesCosta Brava

The Costa Brava is a 60 km long coastline located in theprovince of Girona. The climate, the beach and the beauty of

the landscape make of it an important tourist attraction.

Architecture“La Masia”

The typical Catalan house is called “Masia”. It is a rural construction, where farmers live and work. However, today some people have restored them to live there

without working the fields

ArtModernism

It’s the most important art movement in Catalonia, developed between 1885 and 1920.

Palau de la

Música

Casa Batlló

Parc GüellSagrada Família

Monuments“Empúries”

“Empúries” are ruins from theIXth century BC. They are locatedin Sant Martí d’Empúries.

Monuments

Tarraco

“Tarraco” was the Roman name of a Catalan city. Today it is Tarragona and has 14 Roman monuments

MonumentsMontserrat’s monastery

It is 50 km far fromBarcelona. It was foundedin 1025. Its basilicacontains the Moreneta Statue, a black Virgin from the XII century.

Monuments

Dalí Theater-Museum

Dalí was a Catalan Modernistartist.

Monuments“Palau de la Música”

“Palau de la música” is a concert hall.It was inaugurated in 1908.

MonumentsAntoni Gaudí

La Pedrera Casa Batlló Parc Güell

MonumentsSagrada Familia

Our Food“Embotits”

“Embotits” consist of hashed meat, generally pork, withspices. The most famous Catalan “Embotits” are: Catalan

“botifarra”(often eaten with beans), “Fuet”, “Sobrassada”, and Spanish ham and “Chorizo”

Our Food“Pa amb

Tomàquet”

“Pa amb tomàquet” consists of bread rubbed with tomato and seasoned with olive oil and salt. It goes with cold meat,

fish, cheese... Almost everything.

Our Food“Paella”

“Paella” is a typical rice dish. The boiled rice can be cookedwith meat, fish and seafood. And some vegetables always come

with it. It originally comes from Valencia.

Our Food“Cargols”

and “Calçots”

“Cargols” (snails in Catalan) and “Calçots” (long onionswith a special flavour) , are often eaten in Catalonia.

Our Food“Ensaïmada”

and

“Coca”

“Coca” and “Ensaïmada” are traditional handmade pastriescreated in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Traditions“Sardana”

The “Sardana” is our traditional dance whichoriginated in the 16th century. It is performed at

every festivity.

Traditions“Correfocs”

“Correfocs” are one of the most important performances in Catalan festivities. A group of

people dress as devils and set off fireworks whiledrums are being played.

Traditions“Gegants”

and “Capgrossos”

“Gegants” and “Capgrossos” are costumed figures which areexhibited in Catalan festivities. A person goes inside the

figure and makes it dance.

Traditions

“Castells”

“Castells” are human towers built in all Catalan festivitiesand festivals. Many villages have a group of people who

train every week.

“Castellers” are the people who build“Castells”. They wear special clothes, to help

others climb.

TraditionsClothes

It is typical to play music while the people are climbingthe tower. The instruments played are “gralla”, a flute

with a very loud sound, and drums

TraditionsThe music

Traditions“Castells”

“Castells” were declared UNESCO World Heritage. In thisvideo you can see the highest “Castell” built ever.

Festivities“Diada de

Sant Jordi”

This festivity is celebrated on April 23rd everyyear. Men give women a rose and women give men

a book.

Festivities“Castanyada”

“Castanyada” is celebrated every October 31st, likeHalloween. The tradition consists of eating chestnuts

and “Panellets”, a typical marzipan sweet.

So... How are Catalan

People?If we ask ordinary people how to describe ourselves as members of the same community, these words pop up:

-Hard-working-Proud of our origins-Serious (but not always!)-Honest and generous-Very traditional-Family lovers-Music lovers-Stubborn (sometimes)-Creative-Sporty

Don’t you think weprobably share most of thosecharacteristics?

The End