The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-01
BARCELONA HARBOR.
ONE OF THE MOST ACCESSIBLE AND
BEAUTIFUL IN EUROPE.

The City is Old, Worry Old-Its History
. Goes Back into Tradition, which De-
cIares HercnIes to Have Been Its
Founder.
One of the most accessible and beau
tiful harbors of all Europe is that OF
Barcelona. the chief seaport of Spain.
Its magnificent port has long made 1t
the principal embarking center Of the
kingdom for troops destined to serve
In distant waters and lands. From
this point were shipped the thousands
of youths, who found death, not glory,
in Cuba; and here she Is now gather
ing her soldiers and manning her war
ships preparatory to sending them
forth to defend her transatlantic pos
sessions. Barcelona, the quiet, the
beautiful. Is being quickly transformed
into a noisy, bustling military center.
haunted by sad-eyed women.
The city is old, very old. It's his
tory goes back into tradition, which
declares Hercules to have been its
founder. In the time of the Carthag-
infans 1t first became of Importance.
The Romans conquered 1t and made It
| great. In the ninth century the city
was ruled by Christian chief, with
the title of Count of Barcelona, which
was afterwards merged into that of
Kirks Of Argon. During the year 985
1t was captured by the Moors; but re-
conquered not long after. The city
now became very powerful. It d.
vided with Italy the commerce of the
world. 1t ruled the Mediterranean.
Barcelona became a name powerful in
Europe. The great of the world
sought its gates; and wealth, learning
| and luxury made their homes within
its walls. Ferdinand and Isabella
loved the city; and here. in 1893, they
received Columbus after his famous
voyage.
For time Barcelona was the capital
OF an independent kingdom; but, dur
ing the reign of Louis XIV and Philip
V 1t was captured by the allied forces
OF France and Spain, sacked. burned
and robbed of its independence. In
the War OF Succession, in 1895, the
city was taken by Lord Peterborough,
enc OF the famous sieges and captures
o. history; but on the return of peace
was again restored to Spain. Napo-
icon, In 1908, sent Duhesme, with H.
ooo men as pretended ally, who en-
tered the city and took possession OF
>ts citadel. When Napoleon fell Bar
eelona once more came under Spanish
rule, where it still remains.
barcelona is the least Spanish of all
the cities of Spain: and the most cos
mopolitan. Spain, Catalonia and
france have each stamped a portion
OF It's character on the city. The
resultant is not the highest type Of
humanity. The people are noisy.
turbulent and riotous. They are
proud, selfish and tickle, becoming
easily discontented and always ready,
at slight provocatioR, for a riotous
demonstration against the government.
Should a revolution occur in Spain
barcelona would be among the first to
ny the red flag. It is distinctly q
commercial city, the most enterprising
and hourishing in Spain. 1t possesses
immense shipbuilding yards. iron
works and hosts of other man
ufacturers. It is the Pi.tsburg
OF Spain; yet its blue skies are
unclouded and the purity of its
air untainted by black smoke and
vie fumes. Its people are on the hunt
Tor the almighty dollar" and, ap-
parently, they find 1t, for while Spain
has been growing poorer Barcelona has
become rich. The typical Spaniard is
TOO proud to be trader; but the citi-
zens OF Barcelona have none of this
raise pride. They will do anything
to make money; and the result is they
nold the purse strings Of Spain.
Barcelona is beautifully located on
the shores of the blue Mediterranean.
On one side is the magnificent harbor,
hlled with shipping from all parts of
the world; and ON the other gently
unduiating hills and back of them the
wild ruggedness and grandeur of the
mountains. The air is ever clear and
pure. The sunrays are dazzling in
their brightness; but hot, sometimes
very hot. The vegetation Is of luxur-
ant growth, and fruits and flowers
beautify the scene and make fragrant
the air. To live a month in Barcelona
Is apt to give birth to the wish to dwell
there always.
The streets are often narrow and
dirty; but always interesting. The
Ramhla 10 tha 60 af ha
thoroughfares of the city. It is 70
Barcelona what Fifth Avenue and the
boulevard Is to New York. Here are
the most important public places. 1t
Is the pet promenade of the people, the
gathering place of whatever is most
pleasant, polite or picturesque in the
life OF the city. The Rambla runs
from the seq in a northwesterly direc-
ton; and, unlike our streets, the mid
die part is given up to passengers.
with carriage way on each side.
Along Its entire length grow two rows
OF stately trees, making a cool walk