The Police
There are four types of police : the Guardia Civil, the Policia Nacional, the municipal police known as the Guardia Urbana, and the Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra, all of them armed. The Guardia Civil , in green uniforms and sometimes sporting black three-cornered hats, are a national police force which are formally a military organization but also investigate crime on a national (and, in some places, local level). Traditionally associated with the oppressive Franco regime, their role in Catalunya has been gradually limited, though they can still be seen guarding some public buildings, and at airports and border crossings. The Policia Nacional wear uniforms resembling blue combat gear and will normally only be seen in Barcelona. Here they operate primarily as an anti-crime force, which includes street patrols, investigations, checking papers of suspected illegal immigrants, and crowd control. If you are mugged or robbed in Barcelona, it is the Policia Nacional who will take your statement. More visible on the streets of Barcelona and generally more sympathetic are the Guardia Urbana , in blue shirts and navy jackets, who are responsible for controlling the traffic. They are likely to be the first to respond to calls for help. They also guard the Ajuntament installations. Catalunya also has its own autonomous police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra , whose navy-blue uniforms with red trim give them the aspect of bellhops rather then police. In Barcelona you'll see them guarding buildings which belong to the Generalitat , but in the countryside they are gradually taking over highway patrol and investigative duties from the Guardia Civil, as well as from the Policia Nacional in some large towns (such as Girona).
misskelly says "make sure you always have at least a basic first aid box with you.you never know when you might need it!" misskelly says "make sure that you always have atleast a basic first aid box with you at all times when travelling.you never know just when you might need it!" BullfightingJennifer says "Places to see bullfighting
" Pamplona/BarcelonaRod says "Hi I just would like some advice on barcelona and pamplona on where to go and things I should'nt leave there without going to. Thanks My e-mail is rigochevere@yahoo.com"
Your Tip for Barcelona
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Barcelona - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Barcelona - visit the main Barcelona forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Barcelona webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
