Barcelona was originally founded as a Roman colony called Barcino around the end of the 1st century BC. The Romans established themselves on Mont Tàber (where Plaça de Sant Jaume is now) after invading the area in 218 BC. This Roman colony is considered the origin of modern Barcelona. Earlier settlements by Iberian peoples, including a village called Barkeno, existed at the site before the Roman foundation. Thus, the city’s founding as Barcino by the Romans dates back over 2000 years ago, around the 1st century BC.
