The F1 teams are going to test in Barcelona for four more days so why not take a closer look at this fabulous city?

Barcelona is a city with plenty of excellence, elegance, and exquisiteness. It's the city known for its history, impressive culture, aesthetic opulence, fabulous monuments, fantastic modernist architectural works, marvelous museums, art galleries, and above all, interesting people. Here are the 10 most interesting facts about Barcelona.

1. There are two Spanish legends on the founding of Barcelona. One legend says it was founded by Hercules 400 years before the building of Rome, but according to the other legend, the city was founded by the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, in the 3rd century BC, and got its name from the great Barca family of Carthage.
2. Barcelona is the capital of Spain's autonomous region, Catalonia. Located in the comarca of Barcelonès, the city has always been the focus of Catalan separatism and striving for its independence. Today's Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan and economically active cities in the world.
3. Barcelona is the center of Modernist architecture. It is particularly known for Antoní Gaudí's architectural masterpieces. Some of the major works of Gaudí include Casa Vicens, Palau Güell, College of the Teresianas, Church of Colònia Güell, Casa Calvet, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), Park Güell, and Sagrada Família.
4. La Sagrada Família, one of the major works of Antoní Gaudí, is still under construction in Barcelona. The construction of the monumental Roman Catholic basilica began in 1882, and Gaudí worked on the architectural gem for over 40 years and devoted the last 15 years of his life solely to this project.
5. St. George's Day is the National Feast in Catalonia. It is known as "Diada de Sant Jordi" in Catalan. In Barcelona, St. George's Day, 23 April, is traditionally celebrated by gifting roses and books to the loved ones. Inspired from the custom, UNESCO declared the day as the International Day of Books.
6. La Rambla is the major center of activities in Barcelona. It is an iconic and busy street in the city center. There you can enjoy delicious Spanish food at many restaurants, and find the finest places for shopping. It's extremely popular, with an average of about 150,000 people walking along it every day.
7. Barna Centre - Barri Gòtic is the center of the old city. It has many buildings dating from medieval times, and some even from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. It's a popular tourist destination that attracts over one million visitors every week.
8. Portal de l'Àngel is one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Spain. It is located in the Ciutat Vella district by Plaça Catalunya. 3,500 people walk through it every hour. Imagine!
9. FC Barcelona is a one of the most famous football clubs in the world. With the seating capacity for 100,000 people, FC is the biggest privately owned stadium in the world. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Barcelona.
10. Barcelona Wax Museum, officially known as Museu de Cera, is Spain's answer to Madame Tussaud's in London. Located at the port end of the Ramblas, in a rather old-fashioned 19th century building, the museum features the world's most famous sports personalities, musicians and statesmen.

And a bonus fact, which you all already know: Barcelona is the home town of our Jaime Alguersuari and Pedro de la Rosa. Jaime's homepage can be read both in Spanish and Catalan. Give it a try!

Any words missing? I think those are enough for one short lesson. I hope you liked the small Sidepodtrip to the Gaudi city. Stay in touch with us for the latest news from the Barcelona testing which will be provided to you - as always - by la única Christine.

Ten quidado y hasta la proxima semana! (Take care and see you next week!)