Catalonia’s history and institutions

Catalonia and its government

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in north-eastern Spain with a population of 7.7 million and its own distinct history, culture and language.

Administratively, Spain is made up of autonomous communities with devolved powers in areas such as education and health, a model recognised by the 1978 Constitution. Each autonomous region has its own institutions. In the case of Catalonia, these form the Generalitat, which is made up of the Parliament, Government and the President of the Generalitat.

The legal framework for Catalonia’s self-governance is the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia, passed in a 2006 referendum. This document outlines Catalonia’s institutions and their respective powers, as well as the rights and duties of citizens. It also recognises Catalonia as a “historic nationality” and establishes Catalan as an official language, together with Spanish and Occitan (Aranese).

This linguistic and cultural diversity, together with a long tradition of self-governance, gives Catalonia a distinct identity within Spain, as well as widespread recognition in Europe and around the world.

The Generalitat: a brief history 

The Generalitat de Catalunya is the political institution at the heart of Catalonia’s self-governance. It has powers in areas such as healthcare, education, culture, security and the environment, among others.

The Generalitat dates back to the Middle Ages when the Diputació del General was created to manage the taxation agreements adopted by the Catalan parliament of the time, known as the Corts Catalanes. This system of self-governance was abolished with the 1716 Nova Planta Decree, which suppressed Catalan institutions following the War of Succession.

In the 20^th century, the Mancomunitat de Catalunya (1914–1925) was the first modern attempt to reinstate a Catalan administrative institution. The Generalitat was re-established in 1931 with the Second Republic but was abolished again soon afterwards under the Franco dictatorship. The institution was restored in 1977 with the return of President Josep Tarradellas from exile and was consolidated with the adoption of the 1979Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia and, subsequently, the 2006 Statute, currently in force.

Today, the Generalitat de Catalunya includes three main institutions: 

• The Government, made up of consellers or ministers, implements public policy.
• The President of the Generalitat is the highest representative of the institution and the autonomous region.
• The Parliament made up of 135 democratically elected MPs, represents the will of the people. It debates and passes laws that affect citizens’ daily lives.

National symbols of Catalonia

There are several symbols of Catalan identity and history:

• The Senyera, the official flag of Catalonia, consists of four red stripes on a yellow background. One of the oldest flags in Europe dates back to the Middle Ages. Today, it is found in public buildings, schools and institutions and at official events.
• The national anthem of Catalonia is Els Segadors. It honours the Corpus de Sang, the 1640 uprising in Barcelona that led to the Reapers’ War between Catalonia and Philip IV’s troops. The lyrics speak of the land and those who work it (specifically the segadors or harvesters/reapers), as well as collective freedoms.
• Catalonia’s national day, or Diada Nacional, is 11 September. It commemorates the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of Succession and the loss of Catalonia’s institutions under Bourbon rule. The Diada is a day of protest and festivities, with official events and public demonstrations.

The Catalan language

Catalan is the native and official language of Catalonia, as well as one of the core elements of Catalan identity. With over a thousand years of history, it is spoken by approximately 10 million people in Catalonia as well as the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Andorra, Northern Catalonia (in France) and the city of Alghero (on the island of Sardinia).

Though it has coexisted alongside Spanish for centuries, Catalan has faced periods of repression, especially during the Franco dictatorship (1939–1975), when the public and institutional use of the language was banned and persecuted. Speaking and promoting Catalan is seen as a way to reclaim Catalan identity and as a symbol of national pride and social cohesion.

Catalonia is a multilingual, open society where an increasing number of people from around the world are learning Catalan to strengthen their sense of belonging to the country. 

In this context, the linguistic immersion model is applied in most state-run and state-subsidised schools and establishes Catalan as the working language for all subjects, with the goal of ensuring that all students achieve full proficiency in both Catalan and Spanish. Catalan immersion is an effective way to guarantee equal opportunities and social cohesion.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and its main institutional, economic and cultural hub. It is also the seat of the Government and Parliament, as well as many of the main Catalan institutions.

Barcelona, founded by the Romans as Barcino, has a history spanning over 2,000 years. In the Middle Ages, it became a major commercial and political hub with institutions of its own, such as the Consell de Cent and the Consolat de Mar.

In the 19^th century, the city became industrialised and grew as a result of the Cerdà Plan and the Eixample (literally, “expansion”), the urban area that linked medieval Barcelona to the surrounding annexed towns (Sarrià, Sant Martí, etc.). It was the capital of the Mancomunitat de Catalunya and played a key role in historic periods such as the Second Republic, the Franco dictatorship and the transition to democracy. The first mayor of the recent democratic era in the city took office following municipal elections in 1979. 

Today, Barcelona City Council has an assembly: the Municipal Council, made up of 41 city councillors chosen every four years in municipal elections. The councillors, in turn, elect the city’s mayor. 

Foreign nationals from the European Union and certain countries with bilateral agreements can vote in municipal elections as long as they are registered as city residents. This is a good opportunity to get involved in the civic and democratic life of Barcelona.