Barcelona

Feel the warm sunshine on your nose. Look at the pretty, colorful tiles that sparkle like little jewels on the ground. Can you smell the salty sea air from the big, blue water nearby. The buildings all around look like they are from a fairy tale with their swirly shapes and happy colors. I am a bright and wonderful place. I am the city of Barcelona.

Once upon a time, a very, very long time ago, I was just a small town. Around the year 15 BCE, some people called the Romans came to visit. They built me stone by stone, like stacking big blocks, right next to the sparkling sea. They gave me my very first name, Barcino. I loved to watch the little boats sail on the water. I felt happy watching them go on adventures and come back home again.

As I grew up, I made a very special friend. His name was Antoni Gaudí, and he loved to build magical things. Starting on March 19th, 1882, he began to build a beautiful church for me that looks like a giant sandcastle reaching for the sky. He also made parks with benches that wiggle like friendly snakes and houses with wavy walls. He used so many colors and made me look like a happy dream.

Today, I am full of joyful sounds. You can hear music playing in my sunny streets and see people dancing with big smiles. Children come to my sandy beaches to build their own sandcastles and splash in the waves. I love when friends from all over the world come to play. I am here to share my sunshine, my amazing art, and all my happy stories with you.