Barcelona is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia.
Barcelona was founded as a Roman city. The ruins of an early settlement have been found, including different tombs and dwellings dating to earlier than 5000 BC. In the Middle Ages, it became the capital of the County of Barcelona.
Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. Particularly renowned are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.