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Offered languages
- English
Join us on a captivating walk through the Catalan capital and world-class city of Barcelona, where we take an UNBIASED look at both sides of the Spanish political coin: to allow an avenue for Catalan independence versus the preservation of Spanish unity. When demonstrators shout ´Visca Catalunya!´ (Long Live Catalonia!), what lies behind those passionate cries? And how widespread is their support, remembering that Spain is both a former world empire, AND a fractured nation of 44 million people speaking 4 different languages. We’ll consider Catalonia’s annexation by Spain and France in the War of 1714, and its consistent cultural suppression since, most notoriously and recently under the infamous Fascist Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco. We investigate what possible resolutions can emerge from this standoff. Trust our guide to take you on a riveting journey - not only political in scope, but scenic and aesthetic in practice, as we enjoy a city area not saturated by common tourism.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
If the hotel or lodging is in the city region of Barcelona, we will co-ordinate to meet there.
I´ll be right at the door underneath the HUGE Catalan (red and yellow) flag on a wooden pole, can't miss it!
We finish near the hub of the old and new city, where travellers using public transport are served by the L1, L3 and L4 metro lines, 5 minutes away from a registered taxi rank, while also within reach of various bars and cafes for post-tour refreshments.
Itinerary
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1El Born Centre De Cultura I Memoria
We begin outside the imposing former Marketplace of El Born which, in recent years, has garnered government funding for the display of Catalan artefacts.
20 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar
Take a breath and enjoy views of the gorgeous local basilica made famous by the bestselling book and subsequent Netflix series "Cathedral of the Sea"
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3El Fossar de les Moreres
Bestriding the Basilica, we find the oft-derided monument to Catalonia's war dead of 1714 and the eternal flame that keeps watch over the symbolic red bricks.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Estacio de Franca
Recognize an escape route for exiles to France during the Fascist Uprising in Barcelona.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Parc de la Ciutadella
We see a statue of General Prim, a Catalan military legend that also served in the Spanish Imperial Army, then stop outside the Catalan parliament to discuss the 2017 'illegal' referendum and the ferocious political fallout.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Arc de Triomf
Why is this 'alternative' Arch of Triumph so significant to the story of Catalan identity? It relates to the emergenge of Barcelona as an industrial powerhouse in the 1880s. We climax the tour underneatha figure of the most talked about hero/turncoat/pioneer of the St. Eulalia defence of the besieged city, and speculate on whether his surrender to the Spanish had either a galvanizing or demoralising effect in the cause for Catalan resistance.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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