Description
The Liceu Bomb
Book Summary
An attack that marked a turning point in the history of Barcelona and international terrorism. This essay meticulously reconstructs the Orsini bomb attack that occurred at the Liceu, just as the orchestra was preparing to perform a key piece. The author, Òric Lluent i Estela, analyzes the circumstances, the actors, and the consequences of an event that transformed the perception of security and politics in the Catalan capital. An essential work for understanding the origins of violent anarchism and its impact on the society of the time.
What is it about?
The book focuses on the attack perpetrated at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, an episode that marked a turning point in the history of modern terrorism. The narrative begins at the precise moment the orchestra was preparing to perform "Jurons, jurons par nos dangers," when an Orsini bomb fell from the fifth floor and exploded between seats 27 and 28 of the 13th row. From there, the work unravels the intricacies of the attack, the ideological motives of the anarchists involved, the authorities' reaction, and the social and political impact it had on late 19th-century Barcelona. The author contextualizes the act within the class struggle and the rise of anarchism, offering a detailed view of how this event forever changed the history of the city and that of international terrorism.
Main themes
- History of international terrorism and its origins in anarchism.
- Analysis of anarchism as a political ideology and its violent expression.
- Social and political history of Barcelona at the end of the 19th century.
- The Liceu attack as a turning point in security and repression.
- The relationship between culture, performance, and social protest.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the contemporary history of Spain and Catalonia, especially in the social and political movements of the 19th century. It will also be of great interest to those who study anarchism, terrorism as a historical phenomenon, and the evolution of public security. It is a recommended read for historians, political scientists, sociologists, and anyone curious to learn about the episodes that shaped modern Barcelona.
What this book contributes
- A rigorous and detailed historical reconstruction of one of the most emblematic attacks of the era.
- Understanding of the ideological and social context that led to the rise of violent anarchism.
- Perspective on how a local event transformed security strategies and the perception of terrorism internationally.
- An in-depth analysis of the political and social consequences of the attack in late 19th-century Barcelona.
Technical specifications
- Author: LLUENT I ESTELA, ÔRIC
- Publisher: Ara Llibres
- Language: Catalan
- Topic: Politics and government, Political ideologies, Anarchism
- Collection: PAUSA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: January 2026
- Number of pages: 336
- Weight: 364 g
Editorial review
This is a work of great historical and political value, which addresses a key episode for understanding the evolution of anarchism and terrorism in Spain. The author's research provides a detailed and well-documented view of an event that, despite its relevance, has not always received the attention it deserves. It is an essential read for those seeking to understand the roots of political violence and its impact on contemporary society, as well as for those interested in the history of Barcelona.