The Nou Camp (week 4, assessment)

The Nou Camp

In the centre of Barcelona lies the largest stadium in Europe, the Nou Camp. Since its opening in 1957, the Nou Camp has been the home of FC Barcelona and is the source of the football fever that can be felt radiating throughout the city. Thousands of fans (and soon me!) from all over the globe visit the Nou Camp to unite and celebrate the wonders of football.

This cheerful layer of the Nou Camp is what most tourists and outsiders tend to be familiar with. The club, however, has seen some dark times, as during the Spanish civil war, club president Josep Sunyol, a representative of the pro-independence political party, was murdered. This was a defining moment in the history of FC Barcelona and Catalan identity.

After the Spanish civil war (1936 - 1939), extreme repressive measures were taken against Catalonia. Catalans weren't allowed to even speak their language! Going to the Nou Camp to support FC Barcelona during games against other Spanish clubs, was a way of expressing patriotism and autonomy. This is why the club and the Nou Camp have become a symbol of Catalan culture and independence. The video below further explains the way FC Barcelona lead the Catalan social feeling during Franconism.

These days, FC Barcelona still plays a role in the call for Catalan independence. However, Catalan independence is not something that all of the people of Barcelona want. Therefore, there has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding the club, with many fans calling for the separation of football from politics. As a result, the FC Barcelona museum and merchandise store have slowly started to transform their presentation to be more focused on football and less about political history. 

The club's social importance and the joy football brings to the people of Barcelona is unmistakable and with entry being just $25, my wallet agrees visiting is a must.

Nou Camp images