For years the Crown rotated among Aragon, Castille, and Catalonia, with occasional stops for a decade or so elsewhere. Madrid is the capital of Spain; Barcelona is the capital of Spanish wealth. Catalonia is heavily taxed to support the remainder of the country, but isn't likely to do anything about it. The last time they tried, leaders went to jail
Bill, you are generally right. The last time I was in Barcelona the separatist pitch was at its highest. I have to admit that after a short while I got annoyed by the whining of the Catalonian separatists complaining about their version of "taxation without representation". While the richest state in the country I saw plenty of poverty just outside of Barcelona. Spain is a member of EU and there's just no evidence that Catalonia is somehow treated unfairly. On a personal note, I observed Madrid as much more grand, metropolitan and with a wonderful flair of relaxed diversity all around, without all the chest thumping and bragging a la Barcelona. The Prado is, in my mind, the best and most accessible of the large national art museums in Europe.
For years the Crown rotated among Aragon, Castille, and Catalonia, with occasional stops for a decade or so elsewhere. Madrid is the capital of Spain; Barcelona is the capital of Spanish wealth. Catalonia is heavily taxed to support the remainder of the country, but isn't likely to do anything about it. The last time they tried, leaders went to jail
Bill, you are generally right. The last time I was in Barcelona the separatist pitch was at its highest. I have to admit that after a short while I got annoyed by the whining of the Catalonian separatists complaining about their version of "taxation without representation". While the richest state in the country I saw plenty of poverty just outside of Barcelona. Spain is a member of EU and there's just no evidence that Catalonia is somehow treated unfairly. On a personal note, I observed Madrid as much more grand, metropolitan and with a wonderful flair of relaxed diversity all around, without all the chest thumping and bragging a la Barcelona. The Prado is, in my mind, the best and most accessible of the large national art museums in Europe.
I must confess I haven't been to Spain in close to 20 years.
The Crown rotated among Castlle, Aragon and Catalonia
Yes, it's a little controversial as they are scooping up a lot of treasures for this colleciton.
WOW look at that statue! such great color.
i need a replica!