Major coastal port and city of northeastern Spain, founded by the Carthaginians, the once and future capital of Catalonia.
Barcelona was said to have been founded and named after the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, in 230 BC. The Romans converted the town into a military garrison in 15 BC. The city was occupied by the Moors in the early 8th century, but then reconquered in 801 by Charlemagne's son Louis. Barcelona became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire's "Spanish Marches" (Marca Hispanica), a buffer zone ruled by the Count of Barcelona. The area managed to prevent incorporation into the territories of either the Spanish Christian kings to the west or the Moslem kings to the south, although Barcelona was sacked by Al-Mansur in 985.
The Barcelona of the Cid's time can be glimpsed in the Barri Gotic, the nucleus of old Barcelona. This is a maze of interconnecting dark streets linked with squares. Although most of the buildings date from the 14th and 15th century, the layout and atmosphere remain the same. In the area around the Cathedral the ancient walls of dating back to Roman times can be seen incorporated into later structures.
Latitude: 41.4. Longitude: 2.17.
And King Don Pedro of Aragon, and the Count Don Ramon Berenguer of Barcelona, helped Abenalfange, and they were enemies to the Cid because he defended Zulema.
Ten days were they out upon this inroad; and the news was sent everywhere how the exile from Castille was handling them, and tidings went to the King of Denia and to the Count of Barcelona, how my Cid was over-running the country.
When Don Ramon Berenguer the Count of Barcelona heard this, it troubled him to the heart, and he held it for a great dishonour, because that part of the land of the Moors was in his keeping.
And my Cid went to the King to commune with him, and while my Cid was with him, Don Ramon Berenguer, Lord of Barcelona, came to Zaragoza; and the King gave him great gifts, that he might not place his love upon any other for want; for the King had now put away his love from the Cid, thinking that because of him he had lost Valencia.
Then the Count sent a letter to the Cid after this fashion: I Count Don Ramon Berenguer of Barcelona, and all my vassals with me, say unto thee, Ruydiez, that we have seen thy letter to King Almescahen of Zaragoza, which thou toldest him to show unto us, that we might have the more cause of quarrel against thee.