Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MARKET
MERCAT DE LA LLIBERTAT
8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat; FGC Gràcia)
Built in the 1870s, the 'Market of Liberty' was covered over in 1893 in typically fizzy
Modernista style, employing generous whirls of wrought iron. It got a considerable facelift
in 2009 and has lost some of its aged charm, but the market remains emblematic of the Grà-
cia district: full of life and all kinds of fresh produce. The man behind the 1893 remake was
Francesc Berenguer i Mestres (1866-1914), Gaudí's long-time assistant.
GALLERY
FUNDACIÓ FOTO COLECTANIA
free; 10am-2pm & 4-8pm Mon-Sat, closed Aug; FGC Gràcia)
Photography lovers should swing by here to see the latest exhibition; they change over
about three times a year. When you reach what seems like offices, head through to the back
on the ground floor, where two floors of exhibition space await. The exhibits may come
from the foundation's own collection of Spanish and Portuguese snappers from the 1950s
onwards, but more likely will be temporary exhibitions.
ARCHITECTURE
CASA VICENS
The angular, turreted 1888 Casa Vicens was one of Gaudí's first commissions. Tucked away
west of Gràcia's main drag, the richly detailed facade of this private house is awash with
ceramic colour and shape. The house was up for sale at the time of writing, but rumour had
it that an Andorran bank had placed an offer and was planning to open it to the public.
As was frequently the case, Gaudí sought inspiration from the past, in this case the rich
heritage of building in the Mudéjar-style brick, typical in those parts of Spain reconquered
from the Muslims. Mudéjar architecture was created by those Arabs and Berbers allowed to
remain in Spain after the Christian conquests.
