Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Plaça Catalunya
- Teatro Principal
- Plaça George Orwell
Photos & Highlights
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Tour Description
George Orwell—British novelist, essayist, and critic—arrived in Barcelona in 1936 with the paperwork necessary to find work as a war correspondent. However, his experiences as a soldier in the 29th POUM division formed the bulk of the material for his notable text Homage to Catalonia. Transitioning from writer to soldier, Orwell joined the fight against Fascism during the Spanish Civil War, a three year conflict which tore Spain apart as two groups of differing political ideologies grappled for control. This 3-hour walking tour explores the Spanish Civil War in Barcelona and follows Orwell's footsteps during the 1937 May Revolution, described in the author's classic book. It is designed to give visitors a clearer picture of the Spanish Civil War and its impact on Barcelona.
- Explore the impact of the Spanish Civil War in Barcelona
- Led by a Spanish Civil War historian
- Small group size—no more than six people.
"Wow! This tour introduced us to an area of Spanish history we knew a bit about but certainly not in depth. It was a fascinating walk, and we intend to go home and learn a lot more. The docent was very helpful and shared much knowledge and many interesting anecdotes. It really made the period come alive for us."
Spanish Civil War in Barcelona
We will begin our tour at a historical Barcelona cafe, grounding ourselves with a sound introduction to the complex history of the Spanish Civil War. As we build an understanding of the series of tensions which combined to ignite the conflict, we will have a better context in which to explore Orwell's involvement. While Orwell is well-known today for his many dystopian works exploring totalitarian ideologies, Orwell initially wrote essays and autobiographical fiction based on his time living and working in Burma, London, and Paris. Together, we will discuss Orwell's background and political leanings, which motivated him to uproot himself to fight against Fascism. After establishing a historical foundation and maybe even enjoying a refreshing beverage, we will then stroll to the Ramblas, the main thoroughfare of Barcelona, where we will spend much of the remainder of our time together. Here, we find the headquarters of the major political parties that engaged in the struggle for Spain that presaged World War II.
Tensions Within the Republic
Together, we will visit old theaters, restaurants, and other significant points of interest where Orwell encountered the confused, internecine struggles between the various pockets of anarchists and communists within the city that made up the Republican forces. Drawing out differing factors, we will parse the elements that ultimately led to the defeat of the Second Spanish Republic in January 1939. In addition, our time together will afford us other glimpses of the Spanish Civil War in the city, including evidence of the first mass bombings of civilian targets (“The Barcelona Effect”). Additionally, we may see some of the buildings used for social experiments by the Popular Front, such as collectivized restaurants. Here, we will discuss their attempt to transform Barcelona's social system into a more benign and just means of existence.
Take Aways
As we explore the streets of Barcelona, we will see the city through the eyes of this infamous conflict. Together, we will note the War's effects upon the collective consciousness of this seaside city. With Orwell as our guide, we will come away with both an understanding Spanish Civil War's timeline and contributing factors. Moreover, we will see Orwell's particular experiences and perspective, which lingered with him long after his departure from Spain, informing his later work. In the end, we will emerge with a focused picture of Barcelona between 1936 and 1939, noting the buildings and streets that bear silent witness to the city's tragedy.
For serious WWII enthusiasts we also offer a Paris in WWII Tour that explores Paris' experience under Nazi occupation, as well as Berlin walking tours that explore this period.
Where You'll Start
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35 Reviews
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Again, the docent was extremely personable and knowledgeable. Any time we asked a follow-up question to an already detailed explanation, the new information that Alan was able to supply was impressive. He was so committed to our having an excellent experience that he brought us back to the restaurant that was one of the sites on the tour and offered to make certain we got a table on the same balcony mentioned in a journal entry about the restaurant. I particularly liked hearing passages from Orwell's writing (and that of his contemporaries) about the sights we were seeing.
So why a "5" instead of a "6." Two reasons: We sat in the Café Zurich for an hour prior to the walk hearing some introductory information. An hour was simply too long and yet... This brings me to reason number two. Until almost the very end of the walk and seemingly only because we asked a question did we discover that Orwell's time fighting the Spanish Civil War lasted only six months. You'd think that important fact would be part of the introductory material we needed to learn. But Alan was somewhat weak in making over-arching connections. My husband used the word "wandered" when describing Alan's information. We were interested so we paid a lot of attention and got what we wanted out of the tour, but we feel Alan should identify the important concepts and facts tour participants need to know in addition to having vast amounts of knowledge about discrete destinations.
Karen
Sep. 13, 2013
Alan is a very engaging person, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject is extraordinary. He was very generous with his time (exceeding the 3 hours), and we enjoyed having both morning coffee and lunch with him. We had been on a group tour through much of Spain, though on our own in Barcelona. We had been disappointed by the lack of knowledge of 20th century Spain and the Civil War (and a seeming reluctance to talk about the war and the Franco years) by our tour director and various guides along the way, but Alan more than made up for that!
Carol
May. 30, 2013
Alan was certainly the master of his subject. After a thorough introduction, he took us on an extended walking tour of Barcelona to see the places where George Orwell lived. Alan was so knowledgeable that he certainly can and should write a book on the subject. While the subject matter is complex, I felt that there wasn't enough "cause and effect" so that I left with a better understanding of the Spanish Civil War. The walking tour was of interest, but because of the big-city environment, it was very difficult to hear what Alan was saying while we walked around. I think the other 3 people on the tour enjoyed it and I understand that one couple stayed with Alan for much of the afternoon.
Alfred
May. 29, 2013
