Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Fountain, Rambla de Catalunya
Right
Modernista
hotel entrance
Eixample
I
F THE OLD TOWN IS THE HEART
of Barcelona and the green mountains of
Tibidabo and Montjuïc the lungs, the Eixample is the city's nervous system
- its economic and commercial core. The area began to take shape in 1860
when the city was permitted to expand beyond the medieval walls
(see p30).
Its design, based on plans by Catalan engineer Ildefons Cerdà, comprises
hundreds of symmetrical grid-like squares. Construction continued into the
20th century at a time when Barcelona's elite was patronizing the city's most
daring architects.
Modernisme
was flourishing and the area became home
to the cream of Barcelona's
Modernista
architecture, with myriad elegant
façades and balconies. Today, a wealth of enchanting cafés, funky design
shops, gourmet restaurants and hip bars and clubs
draws the professional crowd, which has adopted
the neighbourhood as its own.
Sights
1
Sagrada Família
2
La Pedrera
3
Mansana de la
Discòrdia
4
Hospital de la Santa Creu
i de Sant Pau
5
Fundació Tàpies
6
Palau Macaya
7
Fundació Francisco Godia
8
Rambla de Catalunya
9
Universitat de Barcelona
0
Museu Egipci
Spires, Sagrada Família
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102
For more on
Modernista
architecture
See pp32-3
