Barcelona is a fascinating city and there are many things to see. Here is a list of some of Barcelona's most popular sights.
Gran Teatre del Liceu was founded on the Rambla, in the heart of the city, in 1847. Barcelona's opera house is not only a culture and arts center, it is also one of the symbols of the city.
At first, the opera house was funded by selling shares - most of the seats were privately owned. The society of the Liceu were its shareholders. They formed the "Society of Owners". Until the 1880s the program was a mix out of symphonies, drama, dance performances, and Italian cantatas.
In 1861, the Auditorium and stage were destroyed by a fire. The building was reopened one year later in 1862, after it had been reconstructed under the supervision of Josep Oriol Mestres.
As the Gran Teatre del Liceu is a symbol of the city as well as of Barcelona's bourgeoisie, the theater was a popular place for revolutionary movements. This was also the case in 1893 when an anarchist bomb attack killed about 20 people during the opening performance of the season.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), the Liceu was nationalized and turned into the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya. When Franco's leadership started in 1939, it was returned to its former owners.
Today the Gran Teatre Liceu offers a varied programme of opera, dance, and concerts. There are also several other events and activities to do.
